He's Making A List...
- 26 Nov 07, 03:14 PM
We΅―re getting close to the time when all self-respecting music journos and DJs will announce their end of year lists. It΅―s the season to pull out your obscure classics, to argue over the merits of the name acts and to haughtily change tack from last year΅―s interests. So who will come out well this year? MIA? Radiohead? The National? Modest Mouse?
Back in the day when I was Reviews Editor at NME, I would pull together the lists of 30 writers and tally them up in a Eurovision style. would be followed intently by press officers, marketing men and band managers. An NME Top Five endorsement might triple the sales figures for an upcoming band, while a low placing for an established group might signal their imminent decline.
It΅―s all terribly fickle. A block vote in 1988 by the Celtic faction took Van Morrison and The Chieftains to number two, just behind Public Enemy. The editor was absolutely livid. The following year and De La Soul were in a tense stand-off with the Stone Roses. My favourite year was 1991, when Primal Scream, Nirvana, Teenage Fanclub and My Bloody Valentine were all roaring contenders.
I΅―ve not gathered my ideas for this year, but I΅―ll probably include the Arcade Fire, Panda Bear, Jens Lekman, The Manics, Ry Cooder and Rilo Kiley. And while I feel ambivalent about his leering legacy with Led Zeppelin, the new album with is rather fine.
Anyway, before I show you mine, what about a look at yours?
Stu Bailie presents The Late show on Radio Ulster, every Friday from 10pm until midnight. See his playlist here.
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