Top Albums 2007 [Part One].

10. Simian Mobile Disco – Attack Decay Sustain Release

10th place was a close battle between the Simian Mobile Disco album and the Justice Album, and SMD won for me. I can enjoy more of the songs on this album in comparison to the ‘Cross’. Was pleasantly surprised when I got hold of this and it’s an album I can dip in and out of all the time without feeling like I want move the song on to the singles.

9. 1990s – Cookies

Really impressed when I received this record, and what did it for me was seeing them live at Reading last year and realising what a really good band they are. Tight on record and tight live this album and the 1990s are the best things to come out of Scotland last year.

8. The Maccabees – Colour It In

High expectations from me and from critics alike this album did not fail to disappoint. To begin with I found myself not really liking the album, but after a couple of listens I began to love the newly done versions of songs, the inclusion of a few old B-Sides and a couple of new tracks. I am now very excited to see what is next from The Maccabees.

7. Good Shoes – Think Before You Speak

This could’ve been number one on this list, which is the only disappointing thing about the album, is that it could’ve been so much better. However, it is still a strong album and every song could well be a single and I think live is where Good Shoes really show off what a great band they are.

6. The Cribs – Men’s Needs, Women’s Needs, Whatever

Was not a fan of the album title; however that would not stop me from loving this album. From the very moment I listened to the punk sound of opener ‘Our Bovine Public’ to the beautifully delivered ‘Shoot the Poets’ I was in love with this album. ‘Be Safe’ is an epic song and one that will probably come with me to my grave, The Cribs third album does not disappoint.

Come Back To My House.

VIDEO NASTIES.

Bloody hell, day 6 of this thing already! Christmas certainly is creeping up on us very quickly. This means old St. Nicholas will be dusting down his trusty sleigh and all that jazz – yeah like I believe in him. Anyways this post will revolve around a band I am still yet to see despite my love for them growing stronger and stronger as the year has passed.

Video Nasties are probably the best unsigned band around, (along with The Futureheads – however the circumstances are obviously different). I realised the other day I had them tagged on my itunes as ‘The Video Nasties’ when I think it is in fact just ‘Video Nasties’ as seen on the Karl Blau EP (which by the way you should all buy; because it is sheer brilliance). The new EP is my favourite thing they’ve released thus far, and considering how highly I rated the ‘I Wanna’/‘The 3 New Ideas’ single says a lot!

Demos including Riot Gear, Accessory (my favourite Nasties song), Plus One and The Heartaches show us just how potential these boys have! Supporting Kaiser Chiefs the Tuesday just gone at Birmingham NIA definitely says a lot about the confidence of the band! I expect them to get big (I just hope not as big as that though!)

I can imagine live (especially in London) crowds go wild for them (in a similar way Good Shoes blew up in London more than other city). I didn’t want to mention Good Shoes really, because I have read a lot of people compare Video Nasties to Good Shoes; although I think this is a poor comparison as in my opinion they have different sounds. You can make your own mind up on that however. Talking of live, as mentioned previous I am yet to see them live (grrr) despite trying not once, but twice! The first time I was sick in Tottenham Court Road tube station onto a McDonalds bag (I tried so hard to get it into the bag). Despite this I recovered and made it to Astoria 2 as it is now called – however bouncers prevailed yet again (claiming my girlfriend was on drugs so they wouldn’t let her enter) so we didn’t see them. The second time was no fault of anyone really, I’d planned to see them at the Barfly with Jakobinarina but of course they cancelled that tour (which I was gutted about as it had Johnny Foreigner too).

Once upon a time I didn’t like Video Nasties (my god, what an idiot). I am not sure what I was thinking in that period. However, thankfully I saw the errors of my ways and realised that I loved them, lots. The only thing I regret so far from being in London is not seeing them live, but I expect to see them lots in 2008 – and I expect more people to hear more of them in 2008 too!

Video Nasties – Accessory

Video Nasties - Riot Gear