Attention United States Record Executives and Employees!!!!!
As the Chicago Blackhawks made their way to winning the Stanley Cup, did anyone notice the theme song they adopted? “Chelsea Dagger” by The Fratellis, one of many great bands that hail from the United Kingdom. Seeing thousands of Blackhawk fans (and hockey fans) sing this song over and over again warms my heart being the Brit rock maniac that I am. It also serves as a notice. If any of you reading this blog work for US record labels, I am begging you to vanquish that tired old bias that goes back to the Beatles regarding British music. “It’ll never sell here” has been proven wrong time and again and Chelsea Dagger, I’m hoping, is the final piece of evidence that proves that Brit rock is amazing, not just in style but in potential sales as well. Download and ringtone sales have gone through the roof in the last few weeks with this track. Industry people, you are looking at a potential goldmine filled with amazing music that large quantities of American Idol bored people are going to lap up like kittens with milk. Any one of you could be the person to revive a somewhat stale industry that is in need of some serious fire…quality fire! Absorb NME every week and make it a point to give these bands a real chance in our country. You can start with Paul Weller’s new album, Wake up the Nation (review by me coming soon). It has at least two or three hits on it that will sell like salt and butter at a popcorn store. Be King Arthur and take the sword from the Lady in the Lake. You won’t be disappointed.
Markadelphia’s Best of the Noughties
The last decade of music was fucking amazing. One would think that being the Brit Rock maniac that I am I would be all about the 90s. While I did enjoy that decade, the music that came out in the last ten years made me wish it was a woman that I could kiss deeply and shower her with love and affection.
So what were the best ones? Here is my Top Ten with comments followed by my other 40 to round out the Top 50 CDs of the Noughties!
10. The Coral – Roots and Echoes (2007). Haunting, beautiful and brilliant. The best album of their career. Also contains my son’s favorite song of all time–“Cobwebs.” A psychedelic kiss…
9. Friendly Fires – Friendly Fires (2008).
Like Ennis Del Mar, I can’t quit this album. They musically illustrate what it’s like to “Jump in the Pool” on the track of the same name. Wow! Every track is a dime. And they are a great live band. See them.
8. Mercury Rev – The Secret Migration (2005). From the first sound of this disc, the listener begins a sacred feminine journey that is a kiss to be cherished forever.
7. Coldplay – Parachutes (2000). Their first album is still my favorite. “High Speed” is the very definition of dream pop. Memories of those I love wash over me when I hear it…
6. The Kooks – Inside In/Inside Out (2006).
A stunner of a debut. Pop bliss wrapped in an amorous red bow.
5. The Fratellis – Costello Music (2006). Sometimes you hear a record for the first time and yet you have known it your whole life. This is one of those records. “Her’s is the tonic and mine is the gin”–mega…
4. Arctic Monkeys – Whatever People Say I Am, That’s What I Am Not (2006).
The heirs to the Beatles and Oasis. This disc is filled with love soaked Brit tales that are guaranteed to warm the heart and make us all Holy Knights of the British Empire.
3. Sterephonics – Just Enough Education To Perform (2001). Their finest album. NME will never forgive Kelly for “Mr Writer” and I think that is fucking wonderful.
2. The Subways – All Or Nothing (2008). The album that has defined my life. I think Billy and I are kindred spirits. Listening to this record is an answer to the question “Just what is Mark’s romance with women and music all about?”
1. Brian Wilson – Smile (2004).
An album 38 years in the making. Even in 2004 (just as in 1966), the concept of this album is light years ahead of its time. Brian Wilson is a genius. He is the American John Lennon. I was fortunate enough to see this album performed live in its entirety. It left me with no doubt that there is a higher power because, in addition to being the best show I have ever seen, Smile is one of the purest forms of beauty I have ever heard.
The rest of the best…
11. The Verve-Forth, 12. Keane-Hopes and Fears, 13. Doves-The Last Broadcast, 14. Snow Patrol-A Hundred Million Suns, 15. The Subways-Young For Eternity, 16. Delays-Faded Seaside Glamour, 17. Joe Jackson-Volume 4, 18. Ryan Adams-Love Is Hell, 19. The Kooks-Konk, 20. Coldplay-X and Y, 21. Snow Patrol-The Final Straw, 22. Stereophonics-You Gotta Go There To Come Back, 23. Doves-The Last Broadcast, 24. Saint Etienne-Finnesterre, 25. Travis-The Invisible Band, 26. U2-All That You Can’t Leave Behind, 27. Todd Rundgren-Liars, 28. Planet P Project-Go Out Dancing Pt.1, 29. The Last Shadow Puppets-The Age of the Understatement, 30. Kings of Leon-Holy Roller Novocaine EP, 31. Tom Petty-The Last DJ, 32. Doves-Some Cities, 33. Stereophonics-Language, Sex, Violence, Other, 34. Phoenix-United, 35. The Libertines-Up The Bracket, 36. Muse-Black Holes and Revelations, 37. Green Day-American Idiot, 38. Neil Young-Silver and Gold, 39. Beck-Guero, 40. Starsailor-Love Is Here, 41. Captain-This is Hazelville, 42. Kaiser Chiefs-Employment, 43. The Strokes-Is This It? 44. The Vines-Highly Evolved, 45. Paul McCartney-Chaos and Creation in the Backyard, 46. Stereophonics-Keep Calm and Carry On, 47. Yeah Yeah Yeahs-EP, 48. Neil Finn-One Nil/One All, 49. John Starkey-Live at Jitters, 50. Oasis-Dig Out Your Soul