Lady Gaga feat. Beyonce - Telephone

Seriously what the f*ck did I just watch?

Hmm... I hope not.

Read more » Lady Gaga feat. Beyonce - Telephone

SHINee - Get Down feat. f(x) Luna

From left to right Onew (leader-vocals), Taemin (dance), Key (versatile), Jonghyun (main vocal), Minho (rap). Onew looks bothered on this pic lol.

I got first introduced to SHINee when they came to visit 2PM on Idol Show Season 3... At that time I thought they looked very young, with this very preppy-cute boy band image.
That was almost one year ago...
They have since released a mini-album : 2009, Year of us and with Get Down, I think the boys nailed their transition into what they've been hoping to turn to, that is a "man's" band - opposed to a boy band.
With a vibe that reminds me of old school hip-hop and the guys going hard on it, I couldn't believe I was listening to SHINee!! I didn't recognize them!!!
We're far from the romantic ballad Replay - Noona is pretty from one year ago!
Hopefully they'll continue in this direction [and Taemin will grow up]
SHINee - Get Down

安室 奈美恵 (Namie Amuro) - Past < Future

Style : Hip-Pop (she's the queen of the genre)

Meiko is probably saying to herself " Finally, a post not related to kpop" !
My bad, I haven't listened to jpop in a long time but because of this mysterious cover and the artist featured on it, I decided it was time to give it another try.
I now present you the latest of Namie Amuro who, at 32 and with almost 20 years of music history behind her, is still fresh as ever... She found her style and is doing a good job at it.
Namie Amuro - Past < Future (2009)

1. FAST CAR
2. COPY THAT
3. LOVE GAME
4. Bad Habit
5. Steal my Night
6. FIRST TIMER feat. DOBERMAN INC.
7. WILD
8. Dr.
9. Shut Up
10. MY LOVE
11. The Meaning Of Us
12. Defend Love

Now don't ask me about the over use of CAPS in the titles, maybe she felt inspired by Kanye West, I  don't know.
I just want to take those last few lines and talk about FIRST TIMER.
Even if Dr. was one of the first track that really caught my attention, FIRST TIMER recently surpassed this track in the  playcount on my player.
The fast /scat beat is really out there and Namie Amuro clearly got outshined by the collective DOBERMAN INC. Like Bjork on her album Volta with Antony and the Johnsons, Namie Amuro made me discover a new artist I'll definitely check out and not that only!! I think I'll start paying attention to the latest jpop releases. It's time!

손담비 (Son Dam Bi) - 미쳤어 (Crazy)

Son Dam Bi is not your typical k-pop idol.
She became popular after someone uploaded a video of her dancing on the web and was quickly dubbed the female Rain of Korea.

I think what I like most about this song is the fact that it is produced by Brave Sounds, who are also  behind some of U-Kiss songs, but also her trademark dance move in the video,the head wave (by Daesung in the gif below), is simply just too addictive.

Son Dam Bi - Crazy

Animal Collective - Sung Tongs

Style : Animal Collective (they have a special category only for them :p)

It's always hard to review Animal Collective's albums. I can only say that everybody has to try at least once, some songs you'll like, some maybe not, but overall you have to say that they're really a band aside.

Animal Collective - Sung Tongs (2004)

1. Leaf House
2. Who Could Win a Rabbit
3. The Softest Voice
4. Winters Love
5. Kids on Holiday
6. Sweet Road
7. Visiting Friends
8. College
9. We Tigers
10. Mouth Wooed Her
11. Good Lovin Outside
12. Whaddit I Done

The Knife In Collaboration with Mt. Sims and Planningtorock - Colouring of Pigeons

I've recently talked about the Knife, well... Excuse me, I should say half of the Knife or Fever Ray, when I reviewed last.fm top 40 of the year, last December. I read some weeks ago that the band were working on an opera based off Charles Darwin's life and work... I was really intrigued and because I told myself that I would try more of them, I decided to give it a listen...

The Knife In Collaboration with Mt. Sims and Planningtorock - Colouring of Pigeons
I wouldn't be able to tell if it really fits the theme but the music and the voice of the main singer are quite enchanting and succeed in making you forgetting the track is 11mn after all.
I've been meaning to publish the song but I forgot until I saw yesterday that the Knife released digitally the whole opera on their website - we will have to wait till next month for a audio release.
That just means that if you're - like me -willing to try more of it, you know where to go! I'll be sure to give a listen to the album as I was really looking forward to the final project.

Update: I listened to it and I believe that opera is really not my cup of tea... I didn't enjoy this album so far... I'll give it another try for sure.

Goodbye Jewelry

Very beautiful and sad goodbye performance... Reminded me when I first stumbled across Jewelry, around their SuperStar era... They sure grew up! I should check them out again...
I wish the best to the two last members but I have to say that it's gonna be hard to find a replacement for Park Jung Ah's voice.

Brown Eyed Girls - Abracadabra

이러다 미쳐 내가 여리여리 착하던 그런 내가
너 때문에 돌아 내가 독한 나로 변해 내가

I used to be nice, soft and tender
but if I keep going crazy like this
you’ll change me into something bad

Sexy moves, sexy outfits, upbeat tempo, and catchy melody.
I know I'm late (been released since july 2009) but I like it!

Little Boots - Stuck on repeat

You got me stuck on repeat

And I just can't seem to break free

Best of 2009 - Last.fm : #10 - #4 [Update]- with the top 3 now!

Wow finally we're there... Every click sees me being super excited and then sometimes disappointed or even more excited / happy depending on the title I see at the top of the page loading .

#10 - Kanye West
How come??!!

This album...

Just painful...

Kanye is getting artistic, but it's not like it's something nobody has done before. Just some autotune, that can't even conceal his "beautiful" voice and some 808 drums beats. Well congrats for selling that much and having so much scrobbles on last.fm .

#9 - Yeahs Yeahs Yeahs
I should have introduced them properly, but it turned out that after hearing and loving Heads will Roll as the soundtrack of the Hills promo - could any songs fits this any better ? - I decided to try the whole album. All the songs are not at the same level of Heads will Roll but after some listen, I'm starting to get into it.

#8 - Green Day
Well Green Day is a veteran punk act, and they're still doing it well. I am the one who grew out of this phase.

#6 - Beyonce
This is a surprise, but a nice surprise.

I had decided I'll showcase the top 5, then the top 3 at least, otherwise it would be a little too boring lol till I saw who made the list... I think I can all stuff it there, I don't want to waste a post for those artists . I'll do my own top 10 instead :p .

#5 - Franz Ferdinand
This is so funny, and I know some people won't like it, but I kinda thought about Britney Spears and Fall Out Boy at the same time. I had no idea Franz Ferdinand was still active. I haven't listened to any of their new songs.

#4 - The Prodigy
See the previous comment

I'm stopping here because, actually, I wanted to do a honest review, and I have to say that I never really listened to the next two artists... Even if I was somewhat disappointed by the top three, I feel I should still do a small review about it. Coming up!

[UPDATE]

Actually, I was so disappointed with the top 3, I didn't even feel like writing a whole post about them and looking for youtube videos to introduce them. Every one knows about Lady Gaga and her raw raw raw raw raw raw na na na na na ....
Anyway on to the top 3.

#3 - Lily Allen
I don't care.

#2 -  The Killers
I don't care either.

#1 - Lady Gaga
So disappointed.

Best of 2009 - Last.fm : #7 - Animal Collective

Finally!!!
Someone I'm really excited about!
I kinda forgot about them and this album, because it was released in early January. It is still fresh though and I enjoy listening to it from times to times.
I didn't feature a promo pic of the artist but chose to display the cover of their second album Merriweather Post Pavilion as it really fit their music.
It is just completly out there..
Even if the fans said that this album was more accessible/more poppy that the others - and I agree - it is still completly different from what we listen to the radio.

Just beware.

Those videos are not my favorites songs, but they're still good and real.





Verdict : To experience.

Best of 2009 - Last.fm : #20 - #11

To be honest, I had kinda peeked at the ranking before, because I was so late and I was wondering if some new interesting artist were coming soon...
What a disappointment!!! I'm not even excited to see who's gonna be at the top, I think the job is almost done lol...

Anyway at

#20 - La Roux
I think I got introduced to her because she popped up once in my recommended artists list, and then I realized that even my sister had already listen to her!!
I had to try some of her songs...
I didn't fell in love with her voice. I gave her a second chance now, being in the ranking and all, but I still don't like it. The music is similar to Little Boots, or Little Boots is similar to her music - it's electro after all - but it's not doing anything for me.

#19 - Placebo
Still around.

#18 - Kelly Clarkson
-chuckles- Well I'm happy for her, as I remember I wanted to vote Justin Guarini at the finale of the first season of American Idol.

#17 - Paramore
urgh.

#16 - Phoenix
Pfuu some redemption at last. And they're from France!! You learn something everyday...

#15 - Black Eyed Peas
I have to say that I had my share of their singles this summer. You just couldn't escape I got a feeling.

#14 - Muse
This album was a big disappointment to me. But I guess a lot of people listened to it, trying to see if they could get into it and then just moved onto something else.

#13 - Taylor Swift
Omg, I was almost afraid I had to write a whole post about her because basically, she's a new artist to me, as I never really listen to her songs... Entirely.

#12 - Fall Out Boy
I didn't know they were still making music.

#11 - Britney Spears
I didn't realize she was still relevant. She's still selling!!! OMG!

Best of 2009 - Last.fm : #23 - A Day To Remember

Well I have to say I was wondering if I should skip this artist or not, as punk music is really not my forte...





Indeed I didn't like it... At all.

Verdict : Two Thumbs down.

Best of 2009 - Last.fm : #30 - #21

#30 - U2
I didn't even know they released an album this year :S

#29 - Gun's and Roses
I know some people were waiting for Chinese Democracy . Dr. Pepper even made a bet regarding the release date . I'll pass.

#28 - Nickelback
Okay... If things continue like that, I can't wait for the number one.

#27 - The All American Rejects
Really?

#24 - Röyskoop
Röyskoop makes electro music. They're not bad but not especially good either. Some catchy tunes, but like all electro bands out there..

#22 - Artic Monkeys
I've never really liked them...

#21 - Grizzly Bear 
I already wrote a small review of the Yellow House album here. I have listened to Veckatimest but I still haven't grown into it. I find there is something missing , that doesn't create the atmostphere of Yellow House. Maybe with time, I'll like it..

Best of 2009 - Last.fm : #25 - Passion Pit

Ok, I guess I spoke too fast when I said I needed to feature at least one artist between 30 and 21.

Passion Pit - what a weird name no? Reminds me of Panda Pear - Person Pitch, I don't know why - anyway Passion Pit is a band who dabbles in electro, pop, well a little of everything I should say.





It is really too bad that I find the singer's voice so annoying.... I wonder if I'll get around it - I used to find Thom Yorke's voice annoying when I first got introduced to Radiohead...

Verdict : Interesting but will need to overcome the singer's voice.

Best of 2009 - Last.fm : #26 - Bat For Lashes

Ok I know this artist and I really love her music, but I needed to feature at least one artist between 30 and 20. She released her sophomore album this year,  and I can see the evolution from the first album : excellent atmosphere, more upbeats stuff and her voice is shining.
This is probably my favorite song of the album, but everytime I listen to it, I change my mind.



Also here's the official video for Pearl's Dream , Daniel & Sleep Alone

Best of 2009 - Last.fm : #40 - #31

#38 - Kasabian
Well the first time I encountered Kasabian was when I went to see Mew at a concert around 4 years ago. Actually Mew was the opening act of Kasabian but they were the band I wanted to see so I skipped the rest. My sister who stayed told me that she really like their act, it was a real show and she even started to listen to them but I didn't bite. And I'm still not biting. It's pretty generic rock , reminds me a little of Oasis.

#36-The Fray
I'm not found of the Fray. It's a little like Coldplay, rock music with piano melodies, a little emoish, and I find it even less enjoyable than Coldplay's music... So... Yeah.

#35 - Metric
Metric is on my to-check list but I never took the time to really listen to their discography. They're worth a try though.

#33 - Eminem
I don't think he needs to be introduced...

#31 - Depeche Mode
Same thing here, though I'm somewhat interested into seeing how their sound evolved since this song

Best of 2009 - Last.fm : #32 - Fever Ray

Fever Ray is the half of the Knife, a band I've heard of but never tried. I know that they are on the electro-ambiant side but otherwise than that I have no idea what their sound is like.

I started with If I had a heart.

Wow the ambiance is very heavy and the sound is almost tribal. Very weird, different from what I'm used to listen to. After a few listens though, I'm starting to get into it.


When I grow up is in the same area, but with more lyrical contents. I guess I'm a fan of "minimalistic" music because I really  didn't get into this song.

Verdict : Difficult to get into, but still nice

Best of 2009 - Last.fm : #34 - The xx

Funny, really I should stop judging a book by its cover. When I saw The xx, I thought they would play some kind of punk rock , very noisy but actually it's pretty much on the acoustic side. They barely have a battery and the guitars are very soft. Anyways, you guys should check it out.



Verdict : To try

Best of 2009 - Last.fm : #37 - Regina Spektor

Ok this one I like ! The raspy voice combined to the piano melodies make me want to dig a little further into her discography





Verdict: To try.