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mattributé Entertainment Excellence Awards
Album of the year
The Libertines - Self-Titled
I have listened to, and still do listen to, albums on which each and every song is spectacular. The Coral's self-titled effort springs to mind. But there are very few albums, which have ever managed to touch me in ways The Libertines second album has. It's widely said that this album isn't as good as its predecessor, and that, to be honest, is true. But, then again, what could ever match the genius of Up The Bracket? If the London 4 piece had released this first, I’m sure we'd be saying the same thing.
Like time-release capsules, the tracks each take their time to flourish, meaning that there's always a song or 2 that will keep you coming back to the album. Every listen brings a new interpretation or uncovers a new, previously unheard line.
From it's mixed up, almost confusing beginning to the longing last lines of 'What became of the Likely Lads?', each and every second, every moment is something special. Every line quotable and usable, what The Libertines may lack in musical prowess (which, depending on your opinion, ranges from none whatsoever to genius) they more than make up for in sheer creativity, innovation and poetry. Unfortunately, with Pete preferring the brown over his old mates Carl, the bass player and that black drummer, it looks like their second album may be their last.
2nd place
The Futureheads - Self Titled
Possibly Sunderland’s greatest entry to the musical world, The Futureheads make fast paced, brilliant and completely unique music - which, for once, is a good thing. Despite being classed as 'punk', the band are far from the whiny, love lost fools the genre implies. Unfortunately, what makes The Futureheads attractive is what has most probably kept them off the top spot (that and the fact The Libertines have brought out a modern day classic in the same year). Having an album 35 minutes long is one thing - but to have that album contain 15 songs is another. And although the songs may all be gold, the fact that they don't feel as touching or as personal as Pete and Carl’s masterpiece means they only receive a well earned 2nd place.
Second string Album of the year
Not quite on the a-list of most played, or what would spring to mind as 'best', but definitely worth mention
The Walkmen - Bows and Arrows
Sprawling, epic and beautiful. In 10 years time, this album will still sound just as good as it does today. An amazing album that, at another time, in another place, could've easily won album of the year. The Rat is definitely worth a download or 18.
2nd place
The Stills - Logic will break your heart
A decent album, but, apart from the singles, feels far to samey. Worth a listen, however.
Track of the year
Babyshambles - Killamangiro
After 'leaving' The Libertines, Pete Doherty fell back on his long running side project - Babyshambles. After starting out as a demo band (out of which most Libertine material spawned) Pete decided to re-record and release old favourite Killamangiro for public release. And how the public loved it. Number 8 on its first week and a quick decline after that, Doherty and his cohorts, however smacked up they may be, provided 2004 with a most amazing soundtrack. God bless him.
Most undeserved success
Franz Ferdinand
We know you're gay. We know you're Scottish. We know you appeal to the lonely 'curious' teen market. Now, why don't you go and try to make a song with meaningful lyrics or can last through 5 listens without being more annoying than pubic lice.
2nd place - Snow Patrol
You make okay music. I'll accept that. Spitting games (on its first release) was okay. I enjoyed it. I'd perhaps even download it if I remembered. But then people decide you're okay, despite the fact your singer can do nothing but whisper and blink a lot. Know your place, Patrol.
Honourary Award for Undeserved Success
Green Day
taken from a post I wrote on the Cube-Europe message boards...
"But, I mean, c'mon. Green Day. Green Day. They've basically released the same album 10 times and people STILL buy it.
American Idiot - fair enough, it's a decent enough song, but I hate the politics behind it. Basically it's Green Day trying to exploit all the teenage anti-Bush sentiment and the fact it's cool to hate the President. 'Yey, Green Day are punk rock revolutionaries'. Get over yourself, Billy Joe.
Boulevard of Broken Dreams - I don't even want to start on this one. You know the thing i said about Green Day exploiting the teenage market? Double that. You can imagine the boardroom meetings behind that song...
'There's a new Green Day album coming up and we need a song that'll sell it to the wannabe depressed teenagers. Any ideas?'
'Give it a really boring beat'
'Done.'
'And repeat 'I walk alone' a lot'
'Genius!'
Seriously, the fact they're so contrived amazes me. They have a set pattern for every album - do a nice rocky opener, then move onto something more downbeat for the depressed kids. It's like Eminem."
Band to look out for in 2005
Maximo Park
Apply some pressure has already intoxicated my mind and it will do the rest of the UK's by summer 2005. With a little bit of luck they'll be the band that'll sell millions next year - but, unlike Franz Ferdinand and Green Day, they may actually deserve some of it.
Game of the Year
Halo 2 - Xbox
I must confess, I used to hate the original. With a vengeance. Until I played the co-op mode. Since then I was vying, lusting, hoping for some kind of online play. Any bit of Halo 2 information and I was there, on it in a flash. Every Bungie Weekly Update was read, devoured and re-devoured by me every Friday. I was, of course, building myself up to be knocked down. And knocked down I was.
It may not be all I wanted or expected it to be. The single player levels aren't epic or sprawling, but almost seem timid and submissive, as if t was dumbed down over complaints from the last. The gameplay isn't varied and it all ends far too quickly - on a cliffhanger, no less. Which may be nice for Halo 3, but not nice for those of us who own Halo 2 now.
The online play, however, makes me moist to think about. Perfectly made and crafted, it should be on a disk of its own. Made of gold, with diamond encrusted on the top, just for show. You truly haven't lived until you've played 16 player Dawn of the Dead on Foundation. For anyone with access to Xbox Live, this is a must have.
2nd place
Pro Evolution Soccer 4 - Xbox
The perfect football game with a few flaws. Unrealistic keepers (who know if a shot is going wide or not and, accordingly, either dive for it or stand still), oversensitive referee-ing and imperfect online play. But STILL manages to be the longest lasting, most brilliant sports game ever made. Well done, Konami.
Most Undeserved
Prince of Persia 2: Warrior Within
I played may not have played it for long before I sold it, but in that 30 minute or some period, I had around about 60 fights. 58 of which were the same, the other 2 being mini-boss battles. Sure, flipping over someone’s head and slicing their neck from behind may sound cool now, but after you've seen the animation for it 20 times that minute, it kind of loses any kind of 'cool' factor.
Watch out for in 2005 - Handheld War
Nintendo have got the experience, 2 screens and the battery life. Sony have got the cool edge, graphics but can't stay on for longer than 10 minutes. It'll definitely one which’ll generate a lot of news stories. Place your bets now.
Overall king award: Buddle
Overall Prince award: Aimar.
Love
mattributé
Album of the year
The Libertines - Self-Titled
I have listened to, and still do listen to, albums on which each and every song is spectacular. The Coral's self-titled effort springs to mind. But there are very few albums, which have ever managed to touch me in ways The Libertines second album has. It's widely said that this album isn't as good as its predecessor, and that, to be honest, is true. But, then again, what could ever match the genius of Up The Bracket? If the London 4 piece had released this first, I’m sure we'd be saying the same thing.
Like time-release capsules, the tracks each take their time to flourish, meaning that there's always a song or 2 that will keep you coming back to the album. Every listen brings a new interpretation or uncovers a new, previously unheard line.
From it's mixed up, almost confusing beginning to the longing last lines of 'What became of the Likely Lads?', each and every second, every moment is something special. Every line quotable and usable, what The Libertines may lack in musical prowess (which, depending on your opinion, ranges from none whatsoever to genius) they more than make up for in sheer creativity, innovation and poetry. Unfortunately, with Pete preferring the brown over his old mates Carl, the bass player and that black drummer, it looks like their second album may be their last.
2nd place
The Futureheads - Self Titled
Possibly Sunderland’s greatest entry to the musical world, The Futureheads make fast paced, brilliant and completely unique music - which, for once, is a good thing. Despite being classed as 'punk', the band are far from the whiny, love lost fools the genre implies. Unfortunately, what makes The Futureheads attractive is what has most probably kept them off the top spot (that and the fact The Libertines have brought out a modern day classic in the same year). Having an album 35 minutes long is one thing - but to have that album contain 15 songs is another. And although the songs may all be gold, the fact that they don't feel as touching or as personal as Pete and Carl’s masterpiece means they only receive a well earned 2nd place.
Second string Album of the year
Not quite on the a-list of most played, or what would spring to mind as 'best', but definitely worth mention
The Walkmen - Bows and Arrows
Sprawling, epic and beautiful. In 10 years time, this album will still sound just as good as it does today. An amazing album that, at another time, in another place, could've easily won album of the year. The Rat is definitely worth a download or 18.
2nd place
The Stills - Logic will break your heart
A decent album, but, apart from the singles, feels far to samey. Worth a listen, however.
Track of the year
Babyshambles - Killamangiro
After 'leaving' The Libertines, Pete Doherty fell back on his long running side project - Babyshambles. After starting out as a demo band (out of which most Libertine material spawned) Pete decided to re-record and release old favourite Killamangiro for public release. And how the public loved it. Number 8 on its first week and a quick decline after that, Doherty and his cohorts, however smacked up they may be, provided 2004 with a most amazing soundtrack. God bless him.
Most undeserved success
Franz Ferdinand
We know you're gay. We know you're Scottish. We know you appeal to the lonely 'curious' teen market. Now, why don't you go and try to make a song with meaningful lyrics or can last through 5 listens without being more annoying than pubic lice.
2nd place - Snow Patrol
You make okay music. I'll accept that. Spitting games (on its first release) was okay. I enjoyed it. I'd perhaps even download it if I remembered. But then people decide you're okay, despite the fact your singer can do nothing but whisper and blink a lot. Know your place, Patrol.
Honourary Award for Undeserved Success
Green Day
taken from a post I wrote on the Cube-Europe message boards...
"But, I mean, c'mon. Green Day. Green Day. They've basically released the same album 10 times and people STILL buy it.
American Idiot - fair enough, it's a decent enough song, but I hate the politics behind it. Basically it's Green Day trying to exploit all the teenage anti-Bush sentiment and the fact it's cool to hate the President. 'Yey, Green Day are punk rock revolutionaries'. Get over yourself, Billy Joe.
Boulevard of Broken Dreams - I don't even want to start on this one. You know the thing i said about Green Day exploiting the teenage market? Double that. You can imagine the boardroom meetings behind that song...
'There's a new Green Day album coming up and we need a song that'll sell it to the wannabe depressed teenagers. Any ideas?'
'Give it a really boring beat'
'Done.'
'And repeat 'I walk alone' a lot'
'Genius!'
Seriously, the fact they're so contrived amazes me. They have a set pattern for every album - do a nice rocky opener, then move onto something more downbeat for the depressed kids. It's like Eminem."
Band to look out for in 2005
Maximo Park
Apply some pressure has already intoxicated my mind and it will do the rest of the UK's by summer 2005. With a little bit of luck they'll be the band that'll sell millions next year - but, unlike Franz Ferdinand and Green Day, they may actually deserve some of it.
Game of the Year
Halo 2 - Xbox
I must confess, I used to hate the original. With a vengeance. Until I played the co-op mode. Since then I was vying, lusting, hoping for some kind of online play. Any bit of Halo 2 information and I was there, on it in a flash. Every Bungie Weekly Update was read, devoured and re-devoured by me every Friday. I was, of course, building myself up to be knocked down. And knocked down I was.
It may not be all I wanted or expected it to be. The single player levels aren't epic or sprawling, but almost seem timid and submissive, as if t was dumbed down over complaints from the last. The gameplay isn't varied and it all ends far too quickly - on a cliffhanger, no less. Which may be nice for Halo 3, but not nice for those of us who own Halo 2 now.
The online play, however, makes me moist to think about. Perfectly made and crafted, it should be on a disk of its own. Made of gold, with diamond encrusted on the top, just for show. You truly haven't lived until you've played 16 player Dawn of the Dead on Foundation. For anyone with access to Xbox Live, this is a must have.
2nd place
Pro Evolution Soccer 4 - Xbox
The perfect football game with a few flaws. Unrealistic keepers (who know if a shot is going wide or not and, accordingly, either dive for it or stand still), oversensitive referee-ing and imperfect online play. But STILL manages to be the longest lasting, most brilliant sports game ever made. Well done, Konami.
Most Undeserved
Prince of Persia 2: Warrior Within
I played may not have played it for long before I sold it, but in that 30 minute or some period, I had around about 60 fights. 58 of which were the same, the other 2 being mini-boss battles. Sure, flipping over someone’s head and slicing their neck from behind may sound cool now, but after you've seen the animation for it 20 times that minute, it kind of loses any kind of 'cool' factor.
Watch out for in 2005 - Handheld War
Nintendo have got the experience, 2 screens and the battery life. Sony have got the cool edge, graphics but can't stay on for longer than 10 minutes. It'll definitely one which’ll generate a lot of news stories. Place your bets now.
Overall king award: Buddle
Overall Prince award: Aimar.
Love
mattributé
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Oh Joe, you're SO blocked.
Yes make it obvious, im so so sorry.
Funny funny!!!!
So, your opinions of (whatever) of the year 2004?
Futureheads yesssssssssss, I love you.
They came second place.
If it wasn't for The Libertines, that grey cased wonder would undoubtedy be blessed with #1
If it wasn't for The Libertines, that grey cased wonder would undoubtedy be blessed with #1
yeah ok then!!!
What would you give your [whatever] of the year, then?
What you mean favourite band then!
What does [whatever] mean? Just choose whatever.
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