Inevitable End Of Year List #1, Part 1

by A New Band A Day on Fri, 2009/12/18 - 11:21am


An outsider would think that music bloggers the world over conspire at the end of each calendar year to produce a myriad of list-based posts merely to confirm the suspicion that music bloggers are anal, facile and childish. These outsiders would be absolutely right.

A minutely-tinkered list tells two stories: one of care, fastidious attention and deep love - and one of too many lonely nights alphabetising a vast CD collection. ANBAD wishes to distance itself from both these personality traits, although they are as just as applicable, sadly.

So. If you want to read lots of gushing lists featuring The XX, Grizzly Bear and Phoenix (all of whom left me feeling curiously unsatisfied), try another blog. Unlike last year, ANBAD is producing two lists, and two alone.

Next week, as I finally succumb to Christmas and sink into a haze of Port, mince pies, awkward silences and watching all the Die Hard movies back-to-back-to-back-to-back, there will be the important one: The Top Ten New Bands of 2009. Keep frothing in anticipation, kids!

However, today, here is an equally important one:

The ANBAD Almost-Best And Definitely-Worst Of 2009 List, Part 1

The Biggest Drain On My And Any Other Human Being With Ears’ Time Award:

Spotify. Spotify, Spotify, Spotify. Yes, it’s been knocking around for a bit, but this year was when everyone started interrupting conversations in the pub with the words, "Wait - have you got Spotify yet? It’s incredible." A three hour sermon would then be delivered on the benefits, which would include table-thumping, wildly joyful eyes, and barely-concealed astonishment at finding a Fall B-side they hadn’t heard for years.

If you’re still not convinced: Heathen! Get it here, and watch your jaw drop and your evening disappear.

The Death Of The Other Biggest Drain Of Time Award:

Goodbye Planet Sound. When 1980’s tech revolution, 00’s Internet-for-the-poor Teletext stopped working a week ago, it took with it not only blocky weather maps, Bamboozle and creepy singles ads, but the brilliant pre-blog-blog Planet Sound. Not only was it was essential early morning pyjama-and-peanut-butter-on-toast reading material, but it pushed tiny new bands to a huge audience, all from page 340. Sadly missed.

The Album Whose Brilliance Only Fully Emerged This Year:

Neon Neon’s Stainless Style. No, I don’t know why I didn’t fully get it before, back in 2008. Perhaps it seemed a bit, oh I dunno, gimmicky - a faux-80’s synth album about John DeLauren , featuring Yo Majesty and Har Mar Superstar? But this year I couldn’t stop playing the damn thing, lost and swooning in the beauty of the sounds, the story and the execution. I’m a year late, I know. So sue me.

2009’s Song That Got Stuck In My Head AND WOULDN’T LEAVE NO MATTER WHAT:

Whiskey In The Jar, by Thin Bloody Lizzy. Thanks, Spotify.

Part two of this list is COMING SOON. Hold your breath…
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