In the absence of FunBongo and Albert, Disco was joined by Maniac, Chappers and the good Shepherd to see some cool swedes getting hot and sweaty in Camdens's Koko. Despite being initially distracted by the giant disco ball Disco was soon captivated by the dashing young Swedish men, Peter, Bjorn & John.
(Disco disco...eyes on the stage!!)
Having been to see several swedish singing sensations of late I'm beginning to think that Swedes have more fun. The boys had boundless energy reserves, belting out songs from the last 3 albums and leaping around the stage looking like they didn't have a care in the world. Charlotte Gainsbourg - AF607105
The girls were expecting some mellow tunage akin to the Young Folks track so we were pleasantly surprised when the boys rocked out with some of their new tracks - I swear I caught Maniac and Chappers busting some air guitar half way through the gig...
(Peter - he's so CUTE!!!)
FunBongo would have loved the live bongo's on Young Folks - the crowd went wild and the rhythmically challenged girl in front was a cause of concern for all of us...Peter jumped into the crowd with the microphone for the whistling part...he looked to be heading for Disco but was stopped in his tracks when Albert streaked across the stage (completely unexpected but most definitely the highlight of the evening). Encouraged by Peter (whose love of attention is actually very endearing), some superb crowd involvement followed, which was met with much laughter from the other boys. Great stuff.
Stylewise they didn't disappoint (the boys were much more on trend than Robyn whose dress sense still gives me nightmares). The only improvement could have been for the beautiful Peter to be wearing those same tight white pants that the Air boys are so partial too...
(Fun Bongo - please insert photo here of said white pants...just so I can re-live the memory - merci!)
All in all a super night - great music, hot swedes and a giant disco ball.
In the bleak mid winter we headed north (Kentish Town) to catch up with France's second best group. No, not Phoenix but Air.
At times they were mesmerising, mostly they were lazy. Sure, it was impressive to watch them play much of their back catalog with guitars and a collection of mad keyboards but they did nothing else. They said about 12 words to the crowd all night and did not move from their spots; apart from to readjust their dangerously tight white trousers. Air - Napalm Love
French wizards Air return to our CD players in March with 'Pocket Symphony'. Nine of the twelve offerings have already spilt their guts all over the broadband community. So far they haven't disappointed; beautifully crafted four minute ear candy adventures. The piano is dominant through-out, as are traditionally glorious 'Moon Safari' echoing string arrangements.
The French and English really do love each other, the collaborations on this album prove it. Jarvis Cocker pops up on 'One Hell of a Party', I am never convinced by him, he looks like a wash-outed Hoxtonite. Neil from The Divine Comedy is much better, his contribution is a treat.
There is no real link between The Halliwell and Air but its the Brits soon and so their unrelated antics popped back into my mind. Even more reason to feel indifferent to over-rated Cocker.
I agree with Clever Ape Boy Damo Albarn who told Uncut
"I've always had a problem with Jarvis' stance on that, I found it really disturbing when he pulled his pants down in front of Michael Jackson, that just seemed totally wrong. If someone is sick, he's not open to ridicule"
He continued "He's got some very odd ideas about reality. I think it's a collective responsibility to say 'No you can't go and do what you're doing', not just to ridicule him...The world is not full of cunts; we have a collective responsibility not to slag people off and instead try to understand them."
Air and the Amazing Phoenix Live: Kelly Watch the Stars
Here is my top 10 albums of the year. Chosen by 'which I would miss the most if it was taken from me'
1. Justin Timberlake - FutureSex/LoveSounds
As with his classic debt, Tin got two thirds of the way to a perfect album and then ran out of steam. Aided by Timbaland and Danja, Justin conjures up a pop master-class. The first six tracks merge perfectly together, a better first half you will not find (a la Justified). Will-i-am and Rick Rubin rock up later to lift the load from Timbo's shoulders adding a few more sex sounds to Timberlake's compelling sophomore LP.
1. P!nk - I'm not Dead
I couldn't choose between this and JT, he is only listed first because of the alphabet. 'Who Knew', 'U and Ur Hand' and 'Leave Me Alone Im Lonely' are unstoppable pop gems. Add in another nine very strong songs and you have a charming album, far better than her contemporaries. I didn't really like P!nk until I heard this album.
3. Jay-Z - Kingdom Come
There is something not quite right about this but I still can't put it down. I think its because he didn't really want to make this and its still the best rap album of the year. The Neptunes and Kanye West let Hova down but Justin Blaze, the Blazettes, Chris Martin (!?) and Dr Dre make-up for their embarrassment. Enjoy 44 fours live
3. Amy Winehouse - Back to Black
Wow Amy, well done. The best Soul album around. It never gets lost and showcases a talent that needs to be heard. The same style and sound remains through-out the album but because it is beautifully short you never tire of Mark Ronson's production. Needs rehab
5. Christina Aguilera - Back to Basics
Almost amazing, but not. Ruined by Xtina of course. However the first CD still has a collection of interesting pop productions that slide together happily until the last track. Most of CD 2 is terrible but it does have a couple of hits. Quality control and reality check please Christina
6. Lily Allen - Alright Still
The feisty one lived up to the hype and delivered an endearing, strong debut.
7. Nelly Furtado - Loose
Two of the best singles of the year followed up by the magic of Timbaland and Danja give Furtado a good album. It drops off in places and lacks a steady thread but a welcome change of direction by the Canadian Portuguese special lady.
8 Lupe Fiasco - Food and Liquor
A bright hope for the future of hip hop. Well produced, thoughtful songs. His only downfall is his lack of decent humour and slightly contradictory attitude.
9 Nas - Hip Hop is Dead
Essentially one of his better albums. Five or six great tracks which are far better than 99% of the other players.
10 Rhymefest - Blue Collar
Patchy album but pretty good. Rhymefest's personality translates fantastically on wax; somehow he collaborated with Ronson and the late ODB to make 'Build Me Up Buttercup' an enjoyable four minutes.
Here are my most loved songs of 2006, there are 11 of them. This is normal.
1.P!nk - Who Knew. Sounds better with each listen 2. Justin Timberlake - SexyBack- He made us dance again 3. Nelly Furtado - Maneater - Glorious 4. Robbie Williams - Lovelight - A Brand New Heavy, a Ronson and a Robbie is an electrifying combination 5. Pharrell Williams - Number One Ft Kanye West - Should have been a Michael record 6. Jay-Z - Prelude - Classic Jay 7. Amy Winehouse -Tears Dry on their own -Best track off the album 8. Nas - Cant forget about you - Vintage Esco 9. Omarion - Obsession - Probably best Neptunes of the year 10. JC Chasez - Until Yesterday - Marvelous co-writing with JT 10. The Game - Why you hate the Game Ft Nas - Just Blaze takes 'em to church in an epic nine minute adventure.
What to expect in 2007?
Britney - New album we guess. Maybe working with Pharrell, naybe not.
Duran Duran - Three tracks recorded with Timbabland and one with Justin.
Common
Maxwell - Three albums recorded and ready, one would be fine
Mariah Carey - Two albums. Again, just one would be a happy time.
Kylie - It would nice if she actually made a really good album.
D'Angelo - Its about time, lazy man. Two albums in 11 years is lame.
Usher - Working with Robin Thicke and Jay-Z. Lets hope its better then the shit shit shit Confessions album where he took the four best tracks off it because he didn't want to be linked to the Neptunes and therefore Justin...
JC Chasez - Forgotten *NSYNCer, probably be fantastic but get no press. Three tracks produced by Justin and Timbaland
Timbaland Solo Album- Justin, Nelly Furtado, Jay-Z and Elton John all on board
Talib Kweli - Ear Drum project. The four songs I have are good
Mos Def - A return to form
Joss Stone - Worked with Raphael Saadiq and Common, wise move. What I have is very strong
Eve - Its three years late luv
Air -Meant to be good
Bableshambles - I trust Peter
Amerie - First single...
T.I Fabolous Ja Rule Nelly R Kelly Foxy Brown? Mylo? Basement Jaxx?
