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Post by blondini on Dec 28, 2017 20:38:42 GMT 1
ALBUMS
30 Arcade Fire - Everything Now SPOTIFY
Despite some great disco-esque singles, the album itself didn't really gel.
HITS
30 Johann Johannsson - Heptapod B
I wish i'd seen Arrival last year - the music is an integral part of the brilliant film and i'd have included the OST in my top ten of 2016.
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Post by blondini on Dec 28, 2017 20:48:56 GMT 1
ALBUMS
29 Ulver - The Assassination Of Julius Caesar SPOTIFY
My notes: "Seems Daniel O'Sullivan's synth tendencies in his other groups Miracle and Mothlite have rubbed off on this group - who were once black metal and seemed to settle on proggy folk."
HITS
29 Gary Numan - And It All Began With You
Stunning ballad from reborn synth legend. Pity the album didn't live up to it (single My Name Is Ruin is #51).
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Post by blondini on Dec 28, 2017 21:02:41 GMT 1
ALBUMS
28 Ramin Djawadi - Game Of Thrones Season 7 (OTVST) SPOTIFY
Season 6 got to 27 last year.
HITS
28 Sada Vidoo - Iconic
Some of you will know her as the "living doll" from UK X Factor but she's actually a very talented veteran Danish songwriter (Infernal's Ten Miles among others). This is epic pop and better than anything Sia has done recently.
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Post by blondini on Dec 28, 2017 21:10:05 GMT 1
ALBUMS
27 IAMX - Unfall SPOTIFY
Instrumental set.
HITS
27 Miniatures - Honey
From Australia via New Zealand, like a poppier Slowdive.
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Post by blondini on Dec 28, 2017 21:17:17 GMT 1
ALBUMS
26 The Chain Gang Of 1974 - Felt SPOTIFY
Stop wasting your time with Imagine Dragons and Bastille...
HITS
26 Vanbot - Collide (Krasnoyarsk)
More awesome Swede synth pop.
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Post by blondini on Dec 29, 2017 21:25:01 GMT 1
ALBUMS
25 Eskmo - 13 Reasons Why (OTVST - Score) SPOTIFY
Not the compilation soundtrack but the full original electronic score by Brendan Angelides AKA Eskmo. Includes Selena's Only You cover.
HITS
25 Jamiroquai - Automaton
Propulsive steely dance-funk, more like Daft Punk and their 2nd chart-topper here after Deeper Underground. Sadly, the songs that were sent to radio were bland things in comparison. Even Radio 1 ignored this out of pure prejudice. :-?
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Post by blondini on Dec 29, 2017 21:31:11 GMT 1
ALBUMS
24 Miniatures - Jessamines SPOTIFY
HITS
24 Taylor Swift - Call It What You Want
Serene, defiant.
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Post by blondini on Dec 29, 2017 21:38:16 GMT 1
ALBUMS
23 Anneli Drecker - Revelation For Personal Use SPOTIFY
HITS
23 LPX - Tremble
(language)
Lizzy Plapinger from MS MR (1st of 2 of the duo appearing here) . Big vocal on a ballsy pop song. More Gaga than Gaga lately.
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Post by blondini on Dec 29, 2017 21:43:47 GMT 1
ALBUMS
22 Electric Youth - Breathing (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack From A Lost Film) SPOTIFY
HITS
22 Charli XCX - Boys
The last of the 3 acts to make the Hits YE 2 years running.
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Post by blondini on Dec 29, 2017 22:13:51 GMT 1
ALBUMS
21 Charlotte Gainsbourg - Rest SPOTIFY
In collab with dance producer SebastiAn and Guy from Daft Punk, this is neat electronic dream pop from the French icon.
HITS
21 Chromatics - Shadow
2015 single given big promotion by the glorious Twin Peaks: The Return. Same act as #46 Hits (but with a singer).
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Post by blondini on Dec 30, 2017 21:36:12 GMT 1
ALBUMS
20 OMD - The Punishment Of Luxury SPOTIFY
HITS
20 Grand Blanc - L'Amour Fou (Crazy Love)
From (UKMix's) Heppolo's 2016 YE , this became my first number one of 2017. My notes: "The woozy drunk-on-love feel of this is amazing. They're French and post-punk inspired - so all basslines and synths in force. Alternating male / female vocals - female lead on this. This will qualify for my 2017 YE but their album won't."
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Post by blondini on Dec 30, 2017 21:45:14 GMT 1
ALBUMS
19 The National - Sleep Well Beast SPOTIFY
HITS
19 Red Mecca - Set In Motion
More from Hep's chart. My notes: "Swedish darkwave synth duo - the male half being a veteran of post-punk who named the act after an influential Cabaret Voltaire album. This latest track is also among their most immediate."
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Post by blondini on Dec 30, 2017 21:53:30 GMT 1
ALBUMS
18 Blancmange - Unfurnished Rooms SPOTIFY
HITS
18 Ashley Campbell - Remembering
Glen Campbell passed this year (his final album didn't make my lists). This affecting tribute from his band-member daughter hit my top slot in that week. Originally recorded for a 2015 documentary tribute Glen Campbell: I'll Be Me and here spruced up for single release.
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Post by blondini on Dec 30, 2017 22:06:30 GMT 1
ALBUMS
17 Taylor Swift - Reputation SPOTIFY
If the rest of the album was as great as the 6 songs i regularly hammered it would be in my top 5 but some of her misguided attempts at urban music (she must never rap ever again) spoil it - plus the ubiquitous Sheeran and an obligatory song that keeps her on the country chart. Dress improves on the Fifty Shades single and Jack Antonoff (Fun / Bleachers) keeps her feet at least 2 inches from the floor.
HITS
17 The Birthday Massacre - Counterpane
1st of 3. Guitar-heavy first album teaser.
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Post by blondini on Dec 30, 2017 22:12:31 GMT 1
ALBUMS
16 Living Colour - Shade SPOTIFY
Came back in style. Should be more appreciated in 2017.
HITS
16 Slowdive - Star Roving
Startling comeback for 90's shoegaze / dream-pop indie legends. Turns out to be a strong year for comebacks.
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Post by blondini on Dec 31, 2017 1:27:37 GMT 1
ALBUMS
15 Marnie - Strange Words and Weird Wars SPOTIFY
Ladytron singer's second album is not quite as great as expected but still smart pop.
HITS
15 Blondie - Long Time
Yes, it nods to Heart Of Glass. Yes, the longer album version is better. Yes, it's still classic Blondie. They should not be the sole property of Radio 2.
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Post by blondini on Dec 31, 2017 1:40:18 GMT 1
ALBUMS
14 Quaeschning and Schnauss - Synthwaves SPOTIFY
2 current members of Tangerine Dream with their own synth album - and TD are still to come! Schnauss is also a member of Long-view and Engineers.
HITS
14 Ane Brun - I Want To Know What Love Is
You Want To Know What A Great Cover Is? Astonished this hasn't been picked up and abused by a John Lewis ad or something else on TV.
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Post by blondini on Dec 31, 2017 1:53:27 GMT 1
ALBUMS
13 Stevie Parker - The Cure SPOTIFY
Remember Ellie Goulding being "indie" in her early days? Remember London Grammar actually being decent on their first album? You might like Stevie and her plaintive electro-folk-pop. And Gaga can choke on her "cure"...
HITS
13 Lamb - llumina
Didn't even know they'd done a video for this! Assumed their Vevo account was not being updated. Top of my chart for 5 weeks and their biggest hit for years.
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Post by blondini on Dec 31, 2017 2:00:30 GMT 1
ALBUMS
12 The War On Drugs - A Deeper Understanding SPOTIFY
See #47 Hits.
HITS
12 Blondie - Too Much
One of the best tracks on Pollinator, strangely they didn't do a video for it despite Radio 2 playlisting it.
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Post by blondini on Dec 31, 2017 2:10:13 GMT 1
ALBUMS
11 Nine Inch Nails - Add Violence (MA) SPOTIFY
The feedback loop on the last track is something else! :lol:
HITS
11 Hercules and Love Affair feat. Rouge Mary - Rejoice
How the hell did i not see this video?? I looked constantly at that time. :-? Techno-disco that is like a 21st century Prince track. All the pop / dance / urban fans have really missed out here... Rouge Mary is one of the rotating act's current singers and hence the "featuring" credit and not "with" that i usually go with.
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