Winners at last night’s BRIT Awards.
British Urban Act: Joss Stone
British Male Artist: The Streets
British Female Artist: Joss Stone
British Group: Franz Ferdinand
British Album: Keane Hopes and Fears
British Single: Will Young “Your Game”
British Breakthrough Act: Keane
British Rock Act: Franz Ferdinand
British Live Act: Muse
BRITs 25: Best British Song: Robbie Williams “Angels”
Pop Act: McFly
International Male Solo Artist: Eminem
International Female Solo Artist: Gwen Stefani
International Group: Scissor Sisters
International Album: Scissor Sisters Scissor Sisters
International Breakthrough Act: Scissor Sisters
Outstanding Contribution to Music: Sir Bob Geldof
Big night for Franz and Scissor Sisters. Of course you were ahead of the curve on them, right?
So which UK acts will break this year? I turned to my mate James to fill us in on who’s hot across the pond. He’s also suggested a tune by each to download. (James actually e-mailed me this list two weeks ago, so my apolozies to NME hounds if it’s already So Last Month. And please add Your New Favourite Band in the comments.)
Bloc Party What on earth could I possibly add
Download: “Banquet”
Art Brut Irreverent East Londoners
Download: “Formed A Band”
Selfish Cunt Ssatirical bastards
Download: “Fuck The Poor”
Nine Black Alps Pixies-esque guitar band
Download: “Cosmopolitan”
The Immediate Scott Walker and VU-influenced Dubliners
Download: “Big Sad Eyes”
Snow White They clearly like Sonic Youth
Download: “Bored, Somewhat Detached”
Mystery Jets Hard to describe, but intriguing
Download: “On My Feet”
Damien Dempsey Irish folk singer, toured w/ Moz
Download: “Apple of My Eye”
Tom Vek Post-punk funk
Download: “If I Had Changed My Mind”
The Rakes Gang of Four-y, angular guitars (yawn)
Download: “Strasbourg”
And James’ predictions for who’ll be big 2005:
Coldplay … Stands to reason
Gorillaz … Ditto
Roots Manuva … OK, just kidding, but it’s still better UK hip hop than Dizzee Rascal
Much thanks James! I owe you brunch when you’re in the states. You can regale me with more harrowing tales of Definitely Maybe‘s ubiquity in mid-’90s London.
RELATED: A critique of the UK Top 40 2/6/05 at I Love Music.
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Teddybears STHLM are def rockin my world lately. Further proof that everything good in music is happening in Sweden…
Teddybears STHLM are def rockin my world lately. Further proof that everything good in music is happening in Sweden…
another ‘Brit’ update – check out today’s Daily Star (UK Press) front page : http://www.dailystar.co.uk/
apparently herr ferdeline has been going solo round town sans wedding ring after a ‘big bust up’.
another ‘Brit’ update – check out today’s Daily Star (UK Press) front page : http://www.dailystar.co.uk/
apparently herr ferdeline has been going solo round town sans wedding ring after a ‘big bust up’.
another ‘Brit’ update – check out today’s Daily Star (UK Press) front page : http://www.dailystar.co.uk/
apparently herr ferdeline has been going solo round town sans wedding ring after a ‘big bust up’.
sorry ’bout the multiple posts dude your comments thing isn’t working properly.
Joss Stone is “Urban”? Do they consider Black Eyed Peas hardcore gangsta rap?
Great Brit Bands:
Editors (Coldplay + Interpol)
Dowload: Bullets
Engineers (Beta Band-style space-outs)
Download: A Given Right
Hot Chip (Bedroom producers with Fiery Furnaces-style synth beats and a great sense of humor)
Download: Sexual Chocolate
Kaiser Chiefs (Franz-y/Zuton-y)
Download: I Predict A Riot
Ludes (Gutsy Stones-inspired blues-rock)
Download: Your Dog Don’t Bark
The Rakes and Nine Black Alps are great suggestions, though I doubt either will blow up here in the states.
How the goddamn fuck could A Grand Don’t Come For Free not win Best Album?
Fuck you. There’s no one better in the world than Dizzee Rascal
And of course: Special Needs, The Cribs, Homewreckers Club, Tigermoth, Thee Unstrung. Hopefully The Futureheads will only get bigger in the U.S. too!
I agree that Editors will be a huge hit this year, not to mention The Rifles, The Subways, and The Others.
M.I.A. — Gonna take the game over in 2005
Blech, Joss Stone. I have a feeling the BRIT awards aren’t to be taken seriously.
HELLO SCOTT WHERES THE PHOTOSHOP CONTEST
> HELLO SCOTT WHERES THE PHOTOSHOP CONTEST
Coming … I promise. Got a lot of submissions and have to figure out how to format them so you can see the closeups.
geez- i’m completely obsessed with bloc party’s “banquet.”
The Features representin’ in ’05!
Having listened to the entire Bloc Party album soon to be released, I kinda feel their gonna be huge…….its a solid album….
Keane?!? Are they fucking joking? Isn’t that album called “Hopes and Fears” without a hint of irony?
How the fuck can Muse win a Best Live Act award? That guy uses more Pro-Toll effects live than Ashley Simpson used vocal guidance in her entire career.
Oh my word. The Brits are such a farce. They make me want to pack up my summer clothes and emigrate come morning.
And all of that NME nonsense is awful! I Predict A Riot by the Kaiser Chiefs is a bit irresistable though, as is The Futureheads cover of Hounds of Love. I think I might just like Hounds of Love because of the video though. It’s a bit like watching Colin Meloy star in a Harry Potter movie and it gets me every time.
And eyyy, Roots Manuva is of real actual merit! Any friend of Mr Scruff is a dear friend of mine. (And I stole my brothers copy of Awfully Deep and it’s actually quite good, you know!)
i saw muse @ the bowery ballroom in ’04 and i probably still have that ringing sound in my ears.
I second the Roots Manuva comment! I haven’t heard the album yet, but it has already racked up a 91 on Metacritic.
my victoria: not technically from the u.k. but bloody fucking good as well. female fronted pop post punk, wire gtrs
download: cheaitng song or accidental beauty
http://www.myvictoria.net
The Go! Team have been missed off the ‘Brit bands to watch’ list.
But you all know them, right?
Take a look at headphonesex.co.uk for the real lowdown on the Brit Awards. The Bedingfields are a bit too close for my liking!
“Long-View” from the U.K. is going to be HUGE! Their single “Further” is about to be released in the U.S., and it is fantastic. The full album out in March. Don’t miss this band!
“The Caesars” (formerly known as Caesars Palace) from Sweden will also break big in the next six months, both in the UK and U.S. They’re featured in the new iPod TV commercial & have a new album out in April. A really great rock ‘n roll band.
Do Me Bad Things are an awesome british band. Download “Time for Deliverance”. They mix hard rock with gospel, sort of.
get your ear on maximo park, if you have any interest of what might be the next franz in 2005.
download “apply some pressure” or “the coast is always changing”.
played a gig here in cologne last night, maybe i’ll upload some pictures during the day…
single is out on feb 21st, their album “a certain trigger” should be out late march.
http://www.maximopark.com
The Magic Numbers + Kaiser Chiefs are going to be huge this year. The GO! Team are horrible.
I don’t want to live in a world where “Angels” is the Britain’s best contribution to the world of music in the last 25 years. Seriously, talk about FUBAR.
It’s not even Robbie’s best song. I’d sooner “Back 4 Good” have won.
The Brits make the Grammys look legit. Joss Stone? Best Urban act? Why is Uk “soul” music so lame (and so white)? This chick sings like a 5th place finisher on “American Idol”.
I predict a riot is pretty poppy and rather weak. It will not do anything in the U.S. I am hooked on the Bloc Party though.
Nine Black Alps is awesome. You can link it here:
http://www.nineblackalps.net/songs.html
Give Shot Down a try.
the Delays are going to hit it BIG TIME specially over in the states this year.
ps take that didn’t write back for good. it was given to them by the Bee Gees, in exchage for take that using a Beegees song as their last single. FACT.
there’s at least one show at the mercury lounge in march with maximo park and nine black alps. is anyone going to go? i think maximo park is also playing rothko. don’t quote me on that though. was anyone else at the kaiser chiefs show on saturday? they were amazing. “i predict a riot” is not even their best song, in my opinion. i’m bummed their mercury lounge show is sold out, because i would see them again. they are supposed to be at the bowery ballroom in march though.
I’m not sure how many of you are British or not, but save a few stupid comments (Muse being shit) you’re all on it.
But to be honest all of the ‘The’ bands are so boring. We are submerged in uninspiring one-song-career bands.
For something a bit more ballsy than jangly indie yawn check out The Towers Of London (signed by a US co who have set up an office in the UK just to deal with them. they’re real rock n roll a la Sex Pistols).
Ta
Check out my video interview with Kele and Matt from Bloc Party, taken before the Tsunami charity in-store at Virgin Megastore on Oxford St (14 Feb). Itâ??s hard to believe these shy guys are creating such a stir and strut it on stage.
http://www.clickmusic.co.uk/Clickmusic_Web_Guide/Bands_and_Artists/B/Bloc_Party
Cheers, Dr Benway
Here’s a list of overrated mediocre bands:
Every single currently working British band.