perfect Pearl Jam setlist

This is my ideal setlist for a Pearl Jam concert.. mind you, I wouldn't mind them playing for 5 hours so I could fit more in :)

Obviously it's a little unrealistic, after all, there are lots of songs here. This is just a dream.

(intro with just Eddie)

1. Rise
2. Off He Goes
3. Strangest Tribe
4. Oceans

(band enters)

1. Go
   
2. Leash
3. World Wide Suicide
4. Do The Evolution
5. I Got Shit
6. Last Kiss
7. Nothing As It Seems
8. Hard To Imagine
9. Hail, Hail
10. Spin The Black Circle
11. Wishlist
12. Love Boat Captain
13. Bu$hleaguer
14. Mankind
15. Not For You
16. Corduroy
17. Gone
18. Last Exit
19. Other Side
20. Who You Are
21. Animal
22. Green Disease
23. Dead Man
24. Small Town
25. Better Man
26. Black

(encore 1)

1. Baba O'Riley
2. Jeremy
3. Dissident
4. Porch
5. Deep
6. Throw Your Arms Around Me
7. Black, Red, Yellow
8. Immortality

(encore 2)

1. Daughter
2. Love, Reign O'er Me
3. Alive
4. Yellow Ledbetter
   

Death of Oasis

Ever since their "(What's The Story) Morning Glory?" (1995), Oasis have just been getting worse with every album. (on a side note, "Dig Out Your Soul" (2008) wasn't as bad, "Don't Believe The Truth" (2005) was good). They've had their time and, honestly, no one likes them anymore. Apart from Sam ('and the people who bought tickets to their sold-out world tour' - Sam. Fair point.).

For those of you who don't already know, principle (is that the right one?) songwriter and guitarist Noel Gallagher left Oasis the other night, cause he 'simply can't go on working with [his brother and bandmate] Liam a day longer.' This was after a punchup backstage in France, which involved Liam smashing one of Noel's guitars and the concert being cancelled a minute before Oasis were scheduled to take the stage.

Personally, I'm suprised that Noel lasted this long. Liam's way too egocentric to even consider leaving the band - in his mind, he, and only he, is the one who took Oasis to where they are now (or where they were in 1996). They must have had hundreds of fights in the last 15 years. But the fact is, Noel wrote all their good songs, including everything from their three best albums "Definitely Maybe" (1994), "Morning Glory" (1995), and "Be Here Now" (1997), including hits "Wonderwall" and "Don't Look Back In Anger". He also wrote the great majority of the tracks from their other 4 albums. How Liam's going to run this by himself, I dunno, cause the ones he wrote were shit.

Honestly, Liam should just swallow his pride and call it quits. Oasis have had their run. Plus, who's gonna write the songs? He might think he can, but he's shit at it. Please, Liam, just disband Oasis, cause it's just not Oasis without both you and Noel.

Matt
Now listening to "I Am An Elastic Firecracker" (1995) by Tripping Daisy

Polyphonic Spree, Dappled Cities

It's late and I'm tired, but I've just discovered an absolutely amazing band called the Polyphonic Spree. They have about a billion people in their band and they play happy, poppy music - the end result is very uplifting, fun music. It also seems as though the band have lots of fun playing the music, adding to its overall feel. The music is very poppy, but the kind of pop they don't play on the radio; I spose you could call it 'indie pop', cause it's very independent and alternative but also poppy, if that makes sense. Think of (at least) fifteen men and women jumping around in brightly coloured togas, each playing a different eclectic instrument (including the theremin), having fun and dancing around. It's almost an orchestra, or as close to one as a band can get.

Also, today at work someone played me a record called 'Zounds' by Dappled Cities, a band I'd never heard of at all before then. I've only heard it once, so my memory could be faulty, but I enjoyed it. I remember being suprised that I enjoyed it as well, cause it's synthy and electroy and poppy, but it was okay at the time. Mind you, then I was played the record by that band who made that 'In For The Kill' song. It was dreadful. Hot pins through my eardrums dreadful. But then, to make myself feel better, I put on 'Frogstomp', by Silverchair. That made everything better :)

I'll properly review when I can think straight. But, for now, make sure you check out The Polyphonic Spree. They're fucking awesome.

Matt
Now Listening To: "Together We're Heavy" by the Polyphonic Spree

:) fml

"Today, I texted my boyfriend to see if he wanted to finally have sex today. His response was "Can't, Platinum just came out." I didn't know what that meant so I searched "Platinum 3-22-2009" on Google. I found out he's talking about a new Pokemon game. FML"

Hellllll yeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeah
If only I could find my DS charger :(. The only charging I get is when I'm in the car, with the cigarette lighter charger. Not good enough :(. I want to play some Platinum tooooooooo.

Top 10 Albums of 2008

I did this on MySpace in December last year, I think. Bout then. I just thought I'd start off my blog with this. Enjoy.

10: "For My Friends" by Blind Melon
Now here's a band we haven't heard from in a very long time. For My Friends is Blind Melon's first LP since.. um, '96 from memory. They've just gotten a new lead singer to replace the late Shannon Hoon. This is the same band that, in the early ninties, had their one hit with "No Rain", a song that every one knows but no one knows the band who sung it. The one with Bee Girl in the video. Remember? Anyway. The one mistake that Blind Melon made in hiring a new singer is getting one that sounded remarkably similar to the distinctive Shannon Hoon - instead of getting one that sounded different enough for him to not be continuously compared to Hoon. As is, it seems that they've just tried to replace Hoon and continue in the same direction that was cut short because of Hoon's overdose in '95. Not a good plan. For My Friends is a solid album from a classic band, but nothing new. Really didn't meet my expectations, as this is an album I'd been looking forward to for years. Also, the record seemed to fail miserably thanks to lack of promotion anywhere, I had to buy it off their online shop.

Choice tracks: With The Right Set Of Eyes, For My Friends, Down On The Pharmacy



9: "Dear Science" by TV On The Radio
This record seems to be on the top spot of everyone who's anyone's end-of-year charts. Sure, it's a great album. But I really couldn't see anything amazing from it. It's ridiculously original. I can't really comment on their evolution because I haven't heard any of their earlier records, but it does seem like the band has changed rapidly since their last. I've never heard anything remotely like TV On The Radio. I have no idea how they're actually finding commercial success - Dear Science is one of the least commercial-sounding records I've heard recently. But hey. Nothing amazing. But all in all, a strong, original, powerful record.

Choice tracks: Halfway Home, Golden Age



8: "Third" by Portishead
Another record from a band that we haven't heard from in a ridiculously long time. Portishead's self-titled second album was released in 95 I think. Maybe 94. And then they had a live album in 96ish. After then, Portishead seemed to disappear, although their legacy remained in the genre of trip hop, which they pioneered. Returning early in 2008, Portishead's third album, aptly titled "Third", is not their best record by all means, but is still a great listen. It's also not easy to listen to at all - it induces concentration and thought. Portishead have drifted from the slow, mystical, turntable-and-Rhodes-keyboard-infused sound of their earlier records to a more industrial, noisy sound. Not that anyone is complaining. Over the top of the heavy, dirty beats sings Beth Gibbons - an absolutely amazing, mystifying singer whose voice has only improved since 94's Dummy. All the elements of Third interact and meld and produce a record that will surely satisfy those who have been begging for another Portishead record.

Choice tracks: The Rip, We Carry On, Deep Water, Small



7: "Havilah" by the Drones
Not much I can really say about this album. The Drones create epic soundscapes in 8 minute songs, while also reverting to the simplicity of the single "The Minotaur". Forgot the singer's name, but his voice is perfect for their unique brand of music - slightly grungy, acousticy, sludgy, all-the-while retaining a slight hint of poppiness. If that makes sense. In my opinion, it is definitely a breath of fresh air for the Australian music scene, which seems to be suffering so badly at the moment.

Choice tracks: The Minotaur, Luck In Odd Numbers, Cold And Sober



6: "Consolers Of The Lonely" by the Raconteurs/Saboteurs
After the massive shitness of the White Stripes' "Icky Thump", that "Consolers Of The Lonely" was a good album was a complete suprise. To me, anyway. Imagine Led Zeppelin and the Who's lovechild. Mixed with Jack White's enchanting voice. It just works. The record is very epic and very much a Jack White record. You can tell I'm getting bored of writing these. You're probably getting bored of reading them. But yeah. Jack White at his finest. Probably his best release since the White Stripes' 2002 release "White Blood Cells". And I don't know who Brendan Benson is. But he seems pretty cool.

Choice tracks: Consoler Of The Lonely, Salute Your Salution, The Switch And The Spur, These Stones Will Shout



5: "Roll With You" by Eli "Paperboy" Reed & the True Loves
This album would have sold better in the 50's or 60's than it did when it was released this April. Paperboy and his backing band has brought soul music back singlehandedly, recalling the classic Motown of Sam Cooke or the Four Tops. Roll With You just makes me want to dance, no matter where I am. Hopefully Paperboy has sparked a huge soul revival. Maybe we'll start hearing soul on the radio. How nice would that be, after the shit we're hearing nowadays.

Choice tracks: Stake Your Claim, (Am I Just) Fooling Myself



4: "Accelerate" by R.E.M.
What a pleasure it is to have one of my favourite bands of all time back on track again. Even though I'll admit to liking their universally panned 2004 "Around the Sun" a little bit, I'm not sure if they'd have survived another one like that. That's what happens when an old, tired band just get bored of their music. It didn't have any top 100 singles in the US at all, a first since their 1985 album "Fables Of The Reconstruction". So seeing R.E.M. back to their best with Accelerate was such a relief. Stipe's vocals are back at their best and Buck's prominence in the mix with aggressive jangly guitar riffs is something we haven't seen in an R.E.M. record since the early 90's. And how welcomed it is. Really a great record from an amazing band.

Choice tracks: Living Well Is The Best Revenge, Supernatural Superserious, Hollow Man, Houston



3: "Með suð í eyrum við spilum endalaust" by Sigur Rós
Another band that's departed from their traditional and much loved style. Abandoning the epic sonic landscapes most obvious in "( )", the Icelandic quartet opts for more traditional pop songs and a more upbeat style, although while still including some melancholy, traditional Sigur Rós in the second half of the record. Jónsi's falsetto is absolutely amazing as always. The record has less strings than previous ones and the guitar is much more prominent. They also record a song in the English language for the first time. Even so, it's still a brilliant record.

Choice tracks: Inní mér syngur vitleysingur, Við spilum endalaust, Festival, All Alright



2: "Viva La Vida or Death And All His Friends" by Coldplay
It had to be here. Every track on this album is brilliant. I used to hate Coldplay, labelling them Radiohead-wannabes. Actually. Look at one of my earlier blogs, where I did album reviews. You'll find a review of this very record. Hehe. I panned it. But, needless to say, it's grown on me. Although they're still Radiohead-wannabes, most evident on the track "42", that doesn't stop the music from being good. Like I said, every song is brilliant, from the melancholy "42" to "Strawberry Swing" (I wonder what field that swing is in?), the lame but fun "Lovers In Japan", upbeat "Lost!", and the pair of ridiculously catchy singles "Viva La Vida" and "Violet Hill". Even if their "Prospekt's March" EP was a bit of a let down, and even if VlV doesn't quite match the awesomeness of their second record "A Rush Of Blood To The Head", and even if the song "Viva La Vida" was completely ripped off a Satch song, it truly is a brilliant pop album.

Choice tracks: Nearly all of them. 42, Lost!, Violet Hill, Viva La Vida, Lovers In Japan



1: "Ghosts I-IV" by Nine Inch Nails
I'll start by saying this album is not for everyone. There. I've said it. Nearly two hours with no vocals - just that would turn most people off. But I persisted and listened, and man is it absolutely amazing. Reznor has created the perfect soundscape. The album is both melancholy and uplifting, terrifying and calming, all at the same time. How he does it, I have no idea. But he does. And the result is one of the most amazing records I've ever heard. Best listened to at extremely high volumes, with lots of low frequency on the EQ. My favourite NIN album by miles.

Choice tracks: Well, you can't really do that for this record. The whole thing. Amazing amazing amazing.

In hindsight, although we've seen a lot of crap this year of 2009, it's still been much better than 08 in terms of the good stuff. This could just be because I've had my eyes wider open but. I spose, since I wrote this blog, I've found records that have become my favourite in a while - Thee Silver Mt Zion's "13 Blues for Thirteen Moons" and This Will Destroy You's self titled debut are just a few. Oh, and Bloc Party's "Intimacy", I don't mind it. This year is just looking up, that's all.

Matt.
Now listening to "The Holy Bible" (1994) by Manic Street Preachers

cause myspace just isn't cool anymore

I would do this blog on MySpace, but no one uses it anymore, everyone seems to have converted to Facebook - yes, even I am slowly making the transition. And I know that no one will probably read it, no one ever reads my blogs (unless they're on myspace). But oh well, it's for me, not for you.

I'm just going to be going on about music and video games. But just music and video games that I like. There'll be lots of lists, reviews, and discussion about contemporary and past music. Just don't go expecting heaps of talk about 3OH!3, Flo Rida or the Lonely Island. Unless you're expecting lots of harsh words, in which case, you've come to the right place.