My Films Of 2009

Fish Tank

Andrea Arnold's second feature (after Red Road) is my favourite film of the year. It features a stunning central performance by unknown Katie Jarvis- playing a alienated teenager on a grim Essex estate. Her mother's boyfriend- played superbly by Michael Fassbender- turns her world upside down when he enters her life. As good as any British film released in the noughties.

Up

Pixar's latest was hilarious and heartwarming without ever resorting to cliche or crass humour.

Gran Torino

Clint Eastwood's rumoured last acting role was fitting. This film had a serious message but was also unexpectadly hilarious with very un-PC themes.

Milk

The 70s were evoked perfectly in this tale of gay rights activist Harvey Milk. Director Gus Van Sant assembled a perfect ensemble cast with Josh Brolin and Oscar winning Sean Penn (in the title role) standing out.

Revolutionary Road

Brit' Sam Mendes secured his place as one of the world's best directors with the sumptuous photography on this heartbreaking suburban story. But really this was all about his wife Kate Winslet and Leonardo DiCaprio who reminded me why they're A list stars.

My Gigs Of 2009

A TOP THREE (in no order)

Phoenix- Brixton Academy

For some reason I never thought I'd see the French band live but they absolutely smashed it down the road from my flat. I actually paid for this one too which I think makes it even better. Listen to my own personal Best Of Phoenix on Spotify here...

Radiohead- Reading

Had almost forgotten that Radiohead are the best band in the world until this. In Rainbows is their most complete album and the tracks from it sounded perfect here. Plus there was still room for National Anthem, Everything..., Idioteque, Paranoid Android and Street Spirit. Proper magical. Read a full review at my day job here...

Blur- Hyde Park

The sun shone, the Essex boys wore Fred Perry shirts and played nearly all their best songs in central London. It was truly astonishing if you ask me. Just a shame that new material seems highly unlikely. Buy the CD here...

Three others...

Jamie T @ Electric Ballroom
New song Spider’s Web features ukulele and rhymes Intifada, Robert Palmer and er, pyjamas and yet somehow still doesn’t sound forced, while the killer chorus reminded us of The Clash’s pop moments. On 368 there were echoing 80s style guitars and a rapid Beastie Boys-a-like rap, coupled with a gently sung hook, and while new single Sticks N’ Stones loses some of its breakbeat clarity live it still showcases the solo star’s knack for writing choruses - boasting two so good they put a lot of indie bands to shame. (review here)

Jay-Z @ Ally Pally
Referencing his 10 successive number one albums in the US the rapper thanks his loyal fans before mentioning the previous record holder. He tells the crowd: “Elvis has left the building!” Jay-Z definitely hasn’t. (Full review here)

Kraftwerk @ Bestival
Backed by superb visuals, the four Germans ran through their often sampled bleepy hits including Tour De France, Man Machine and Computer Love. (Full review here)

One Life Stand

Hot Chip - One Life Stand (MySpace Exclusive)

Hot Chip | MySpace Music Videos

Love this track and the sentiments. The Warning was probably my favourite album of 2006 and Made In The Dark is nearly as good. Their new album comes out in 2010 and they play live shows around the same time.

Blakroc

On Letterman.

This record (hear it on Spotify here) is a late contender for my albums of the year list. Love hip hop with a blues feel. Or maybe that should be blues with a hip hop feel.

And Mos is just the collest. Where do I get that hat?

More Clipse

I'm ashamed to say I still haven't heard Till The Casket drops in full. I really need to. Until then i'm loving this on 22 Tracks

Clipse- Footsteps

“Follow me on Twitter n… you can check my timeline/ I’m the quiet one but my intellect is Ein-stein.”

Night By Night

Chromeo "Night By Night" Video from GreenLabelSound on Vimeo.

This song just gets better and better with each listen. And this video (by Jérémie Rozan) shows Dave-1 shocking out in style. Looking forward to the Canadian funk duo's third album in 2010....

My 21 Favourite Albums Of The Decade

Published this list back in March but thought I should repeat it as everyone else is putting theres out now. It was 20 but I had forgot Avalanches. So here are 21 and some honourabe mentions. Think Kid A would be my number one.

Avalanches- Since I Left You
Amy Winehouse- Back To Black
Gorillaz- Demon Days
M.I.A- Arular
M.I.A- Kala
The Streets- Original Pirate Material
The Streets- A Grand Don’t Come For Free
Radiohead- Kid A
The Strokes- Is This It
Kanye West- Late Registration
Daft Punk- Discovery
The Beastie Boys- To The 5 Boroughs
Eminem- The Marshall Mathers LP
N.E.R.D- In Search Of…
Broken Social Scene- Broken Social Scene
Outkast- Speakerboxxx/ The Love Below
Jay-Z- Blueprint
Gnarls Barkley- St Elsewhere
Justin Timberlake- Justified
The White Stripes- Elephant
Arcade Fire- Neon Bible

Honourable mentions: Hot Chip- The Warning, Cornershop- Handcream For A Generation, Gwen Stefani- L.A.M.B, Jay Z- The Black Album, Common- Electric Circus, Wu Tang- The W, Dizzee Rascal- Boy/ Maths, Outkast- Stankonia, Basement Jaxx- Rooty, Lily Allen- Its Not Me, It’s You, Radiohead, In Rainbows.

Any of which would have made my (pretty populist) run down much cooler. But you can’t leave Justin out, right?

10 Best Tracks Of 2009

In my opinion (obviously)

Dirty Projectors- Stillness Is The Move-
Bat for Lashes- Daniel
Jamie T - Sticks n Stones
Lily Allen- Back To The Start
La Roux- In For The Kill (Skream Remix)
Phoenix- 1901
MSTRKRFT (+ John Legend)- Heartbreaker
Eminem/ Dre/ 50- Crack A Bottle
Mos Def- Auditorium
Major Lazer- Hold The Line

Hear these and other things I like here: GET STRAIGHT BEST OF 2009