albums of 2012 - 36. Hot Chip - In Our Heads

36. – HOT CHIP – IN OUR HEADS

Wow. Album number five already? Time does zip by. This album zips about too. Hot Chip are truly a great band that need to be celebrated. While they haven’t ever 100% blown me away with their shit – this is actually their first entry on my blog unbelievably – I feel this is right up there with their best material. Some bands cannot be ignored.  Consistent disco dynamite.

They first really started to resonate when I went to a house party in Miami for Halloween – at least I think it was! – in 2006. “Over and Over” off The Warning was a stand-out track that really made me dance on my heels. Not high-heels. But then, sometimes there a few tracks off that album, and the next two, that didn’t hit home so well. I think that that’s their issue sometimes.;they’re so immediate. But subtlety was never their shtick. I’ve grown to learn how to take Hot Chip; at face value. They were buzzed about too much, but now they’ve been left alone, In Our Heads does precisely that, get inside the noggin to get that foot tappin.’ Maybe not a perfect album band but still, a great collection of songs from a top, top band.

BEST PLAYED: To beat your indifference towards life.

Records of 2010 - 06 - Gil Scott-Heron - I'm New Here

Records of 2010 - 06 - Gil Scott-Heron - I'm New Here

Gil Scott Herren has made perhaps the best comeback of all time in this unbelievably touching LP. Normally age softens up a man, but this poet, soul singer, legend still has more edge than a sharp side of paper. There's no papercuts here though, just on-the-beam spoken word over sharp DJ Shadow esque production. After 16 years out of the game, this return brings rap, dub, gospel and poetry to shady, shimmering and self-deprecating effect. Essential.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WiuorrXsngM

Records of 2010 - 42. LCD Soundsystem - This is Happening

Records of 2010 - 42. LCD Soundsystem - This is Happening

Maybe his last album. Maybe not. James Murphy brings another party:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MLPeQ9U_f-0

A Day

A day in which I feel I'll remember forever. I told my Mum that when I party into oblivion I feel suicidal and opening up like that felt liberating, empowering and right. We went on a walk with the dog and later my football team Leeds created more history in the cup. I slept well and woke up rejuvenated. I have never been so honest about what I need to do and getting a letter in the post asking me to make an appointment with a doctor because I was actually honest for once in an alcoholic-units-per-week survey didn't feel bad.