Sunday 27 February 2011

Playlists 52 to 73 - J to N

Found below are my latest batch of playlists listened to when I have been on my travels. This latest collection of 22 alphabetically sequenced playlists covers approximately a 2 month period and 5 different letters of the alphabet. As ever, there is an eclectic mix of mainstream and less well known artists to be found amongst the lists.

A few points of note. Playlists 68 to 70 were listened to during extended journeys during the course of trips to and from Manchester. Also, Playlist #62 which consists exclusively of songs prefixed with the word 'Love' in the title was rather appropriately listened to on a train journey on 14 February. This was not deliberate, it just so happened that these were next set of songs I came to in the alphabetical index of songs on my iPod.

Playlist #72 makes reference to the track 'Not In Love' by the Canadian electronica act Crystal Castles. Please note that the track I listened to was the album version without Robert Smith of The Cure's vocal contribution. This was not a reflection on Robert Smith's dulcet tones (as you will see from The Cure's other appearances in playlists here), but a reflection on my ineptitude in downloading the correct track! The single version which does feature The Cure frontman has now been downloaded and is a much better version than the track that appears on the 'Crystal Castles II' album.

Lastly, I should say that future updates of these playlists may be less frequent as I will commuting less in my work capacity, which is the main time when I have listened to these alphabetically sequenced playlists. Enjoy!


PLAYLIST #52
Travis - J.Smith
Green Day - JAR
AC/DC - The Jack
Kooks - Jackie Big Tits
The Coral - Jacqueline
Moby - Jam For The Ladies
John Lennon - Jealous Guy
David Bowie - The Jean Genie
The Killers - Jenny Was A Friend Of Mine
Supergrass - Jesus Came From Outta Space
Doves - Jetstream

PLAYLIST #53
Green Day - Jesus Of Suburbia
Joss Stone - Jet Lag
Sade - Jezebel
Brandon Flowers - Jilted Lovers & Broken Hearts
The Undertones - Jimmy Jimmy
David Bowie - John, I'm Only Dancing
The Killers - Joy Ride
Van Halen - Jump
Basement Jaxx - Jump N' Shout
The Rolling Stones - Jumpin' Jack Flash
Alistair Griffin - Just Drive
Pink - Just Like A Pill
The Cure - Just Like Heaven

PLAYLIST #54
John Lennon - Just Like Starting Over
Texas - Just Hold On
The Thrills - Just Travelling Through
The Cars - Just What I Needed
Massive Attack - Karmacoma
Marillion - Kayleigh
Edwyn Collins - Keep On Burning
Soul II Soul - Keep On Movin'
Arcade Fire - Keep The Car Running
Oasis - Keep The Dream Alive
Embrace - Keeping
Manic Street Preachers - Kevin Carter
Richard Ashcroft - Keys To The World
The Pretenders - Kid
MGMT - Kids

PLAYLIST #55
Queen - Killer Queen
Echo & The Bunnymen - The Killing Moon
Joss Stone - Killing Time
Queen - A Kind Of Magic
Prefab Sprout - The King Of Rock & Roll
Coldplay - Kingdom Come
Doves - Kingdom Of Rust
The Courteeners - Kings Of The New Road
Razorlight - Kirby's House
Prince - Kiss
Seal - Kiss From A Rose
U2 - Kite
Muse - Knights Of Cydonia
Kings Of Convenience - Know-How

PLAYLIST #56
Kasabian - LSF
Madonna - La Isla Bonita
Squeeze - Labelled With Love
Twin Sister - Lady Daydream
The Beatles - Lady Madonna
White Rabbits - The Lady Vanishes
James - Laid
Matchbox Twenty - Last Beautiful Girl
Doves - Last Broadcast
Embrace - The Last Gas
The Dandy Warhols - The Last High
Travis - The Last Laugh Of The Laughter
The Courteeners - Last Of The Ladies
The Libertines - Last Post On The Bugle
Regina Spektor - Laughing With
Foo Fighters - Learn To Fly
Nerina Pallot - Learning To Breathe
Razorlight - Leave Me Alone
Joss Stone - Less Is More

PLAYLIST #57
John Legend - Let's Get Lifted
Prince - Let's Go Crazy
The Cure - Let's Go To Bed
The Rolling Stones - Let's Spend The Night Together
Fyfe Dangerfield - Let's Start Again
The Beatles - Let It Be
Queen - Let Me Live
Oasis - Let There Be Love
Simple Minds - Let There Be Love
David Bowie - Let's Dance
The Coral - Liezah
Talk Talk - Life's What You Make It

PLAYLIST #58
RPA & Utd Nat Of Sound - Life Can Be So Beautiful
Coldplay - Life In Technicolor II
The Eagles - Life In The Fast Lane
Echo & The Bunnymen - Life Of A Thousand Crimes
Lightning Seeds - The Life Of Riley
David Bowie - Life On Mars
Snow Patrol - Lifeboats
Moby - Lift Me Up
Madonna - Like A Prayer
Corinne Bailey Rae - Like A Star
Manic Street Preachers - Little Baby Nothing
Oasis - Little By Little
Fleetwood Mac - Little Lies
Mumford & Sons - Little Lion Man
Prince - Little Red Corvette

PLAYLIST #59
RPA & Utd Nat Of Sound - Let My Soul Rest
U2 - Like A Song
Pulp - A Little Soul
Madonna - Little Star
Colbie Caillat - The Little Things
Mohair - Little Voice
Oasis - Live Forever
Kings Of Convenience - Live Long
Madonna - Live To Tell
AC/DC - Live Wire
Fyfe Dangerfield - Livewire
Hard-Fi - Living For The Weekend
James Brown - Living In America

PLAYLIST #60
Primal Scream - Loaded
Crowded House - Locked Out
Supertramp - The Logical Song
The Kinks - Lola
The Clash - London Calling
Elbow - The Loneliness Of A Tower Crane Driver
Rebecca Helmer - Lonely
The Beatles - The Long And Winding Road
Counting Crows - A Long December
Sheryl Crow - Long Road Home
The Eagles - The Long Run
Eagle Eye & N.Cherry - Long Way Around
Big Country - Look Away

PLAYLIST #61
Moby - Look Back In
ABC - The Look Of Love
Jet - Look What You've Done
Embrace - Looking As You Are
Madness - Los Palmas 7
James - Lose Control
Dolores O'Riordan - Loser
The Killers - Losing Touch
Echo & The Bunnymen - Lost And Found
Coldplay - Lost!
Corinne Bailey Rae - Love's On Its Way
U2 - Love And Peace Or Else
Athlete - Love Come Rescue
Ladyhawke - Love Don't Live Here
Jamiroquai - Love Foolosophy
Sheryl Crow - Love Is A Good Thing
Kings Of Convenience - Love Is No Big Truth

PLAYLIST #62
Oasis - Love Like A Bomb
The Beatles - Love Me Do
The B-52s - Love Shack
Moby - Love Should
Sara Bareilles - Love Song
Simple Minds - Love Song
The Stone Roses - Love Spreads
Travis - Love Will Come Through
The Eagles - Love Will Keep Us Alive
Joy Division - Love Will Tear Us Apart
The Cure - The Lovecats
The Cardigans - Lovefool
Bill Withers - Lovely Day
Coldplay - Lovers In Japan
The Cure - Lovesong
Madness - Lovestruck

PLAYLIST #63
Coldplay - Low
Dan Clews - Lucid And Sincere
The Verve - Lucky Man
Lightning Seeds - Lucky You
The Beatles - Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds
Suzanne Vega - Luka
The Courteeners - Lullaby
The Cure - Lullaby
Shawn Mullins - Lullaby
Oasis - Lyla
The Eagles - Lyin' Eyes

PLAYLIST #64
Doves - M62 Song
Moby - Machete
Regina Spektor - Machine
Matchbox Twenty - Mad Season
Tears For Fears - Mad World
The Stone Roses - Made Of Stone
Brandon Flowers - Magdalena
Ladyhawke - Magic
The Beatles - Magical Mystery Tour
U2 - Magnificent
Steve Harley - Make Me Smile
Supergrass - Mama & Papa
Alanis Morissette - A Man
Massive Attack - Man Next Door
Regina Spektor - Man Of A Thousand Faces
David Bowie - The Man Who Sold The World
The Libertines - The Man Who Would Be King

PLAYLIST #65
U2 - A Man And A Woman
Simple Minds - Mandela Day
Ladyhawke - Manipulating Woman
Muse - Map Of The Problematique
Crosby, Stills & Nash - Marrakesh Express
Oasis - Married With Children
Scissor Sisters - Mary
Supergrass - Mary
Alanis Morissette - Mary Jane
Manic Street Preachers - The Masses Against The Classes
Stevie Wonder - Master Blaster
Texas - Masterthief
Kooks - Match Box
Oasis - The Masterplan

PLAYLIST #66
Madonna - Material Girl
Sheryl Crow - Maybe That's Something
Kings Of Convenience - Me In You
Fleet Foxes - Meadowlarks
Crowded House - Mean To Me
Oasis - The Meaning Of Soul
Garbage - Medication
The Last Shadow Puppets - Meeting Place
Sharleen Spiteri - Melody
Ash - Meltdown
The Stone Roses - Mersey Paradise
Coldplay - A Message
The Police - Message In A Bottle
The Pretenders - Message Of Love

PLAYLIST #67
Sheryl Crow - Members Only
Garbage - Metal Heart
Madness - Michael Caine
Travis - Mid-Life Krysis
The Pretenders - Middle Of The Road
Red Hot Chili Peppers - Midnight
Garbage - Milk
The Coral - Milkwood Blues
Dirty Vegas - A Million Ways
John Lennon - Mind Games
KT Tunstall - Miniature Disasters
The Cure - Mint Car
Queen - The Miracle

PLAYLIST #68
U2 - Miracle Drug
Elbow - Mirrorball
Pulp - Misshapes
Kings Of Convenience - Misread
Passengers - Miss Sarajevo
The Rolling Stones - Miss You
Everything But The Girl - Missing
Sheryl Crow - Mississippi
Ryan Adams - Mockingbird
David Bowie - Modern Love
Kaiser Chiefs - Modern Way
The Dandy Warhols - Mohammed
U2 - Moment Of Surrender
Prince - Money Don't Matter Tonight
Richard Ashcroft - Money To Burn
Foo Fighters - Monkey Wrench
Razorlight - Monster Boots
Bat For Lashes - Moon And Moon
I Am Kloot - The Moon Is A Blind Eye
Van Morrison - Moondance
Boston - More Than A Feeling
The Coral - More Than A Lover
Ladyhawke - Morning Dreams
Oasis - Morning Glory
John Lennon - Mother
Tears For Fears - Mothers Talk
Manic Street Preachers - Motorcycle Emptiness

PLAYLIST #69
Dan Clews - Move Too Fast
Primal Scream - Movin' On Up
Supergrass - Moving
Nerina Pallot - Mr King
Amy MacDonald - Mr Rock & Roll
The Killers - Mr Brightside
Guns N' Roses - Mr Brownstone
Dan Clews - Mr K
Kings Of Convenience - Mrs Cold
Simon & Garfunkel - Mrs Robinson
Catatonia - Mulder And Scully
Morrissey - Munich Air Disaster 1958
Madonna - Music
The Commitments - Mustang Sally
The Charlatans - My Beautiful Friend
The Cars - My Best Friend's Girl
Ladyhawke - My Delirium
Rebecca Helmer - My Everything
Travis - My Eyes
Sheryl Crow - My Favorite Mistake
Madness - My Girl
Echo & The Bunnymen - My Kingdom
The Killers - My List
The Last Shadow Puppets - My Mistakes Were Made For You
The Knack - My Sharona
Moby - My Weakness
Embrace - My Weakness Is None Of Your Business
Fleet Foxes - Mykonos
U2 - Mysterious Ways
INXS - Mystify

PLAYLIST #70
Kaiser Chiefs - Na Na Na Na Naa
Kooks - Naive
Moby - Natural Blues
Oasis - The Nature Of Reality
Lissie - Needle Starts To Fall
The Killers - Neon Tiger
The Verve - Neon Wilderness
Muse - Neutron Star Collision
Sade - Never As Good As The First Time
The Noisettes - Never Forget You
Fleetwood Mac - Never Going Back Again
Jack Johnson - Never Know
Kaiser Chiefs - Never Miss A Beat
Texas - Nevermind
Kirsty MacColl - A New England
Simply Red - A New Flame
Simple Minds - New Gold Dream
The Eagles - New Kid In Town
U2 - New Year's Day
The Futureheads - News And Tributes

PLAYLIST #71
The Jam - News Of The World
Sleeper - Nice Guy Eddie
Nerina Pallot - Nickindia
Ash - Nicole
Madness - Night Boat To Cairo
The Pretenders - Night In My Veins
James Brown - Night Train
Mercury Rev - Nite And Fog
U2 - No Line On The Horizon
The Stranglers - No More Heroes
Jack Johnson - No Other Way
TLC - No Scrubs
The Courteeners - No You Didn't, No You Don't

PLAYLIST #72
Garbage - Nobody Loves You
John Lennon - Nobody Told Me
Razorlight - North London Trash
I Am Kloot - Northern Skies
The Beatles - Norwegian Wood
The Rolling Stones - Not Fade Away
Crystal Castles - Not In Love
The Courteeners - Not Nineteen Forever
Alanis Morissette - Not The Doctor
Crowded House - Not The Girl You Think You Are
Sinead O'Connor - Nothing Compares 2 U
Echo & The Bunnymen - Nothing Lasts Forever

PLAYLIST #73
Metallica - Nothing Else Matters
Madonna - Nothing Really Matters
White Lies - Nothing To Hide
Guns N' Roses - November Rain
Lyrebirds - Now I Know Why
Coldplay - Now My Feet Won't Touch The Ground
Embrace - Now You're Nobody
The Beatles - Nowhere Man
Pink - Numb
John Legend - Number One

Sunday 13 February 2011

The Brit Awards 2011 - predictions and general ramblings

Friends, Romans, countrymen and fans of Chris Moyles.

Once again the Brit Awards are upon us, being televised later this week, hosted by the ubiquitous yet strangely unfunny James Corden, who is apparently donating his entire fee for hosting the event to Comic Relief. Well, he'd have only spent it on pies otherwise. Here's my predictions for this year's categories, along with who my personal selections would be.

BEST MALE (Mark Ronson, Paul Weller, Plan B, Robert Plant, Tinie Tempah)
Well, Tinie Tempah holds the distinction this year of being nominated for 4 awards, which past history tells us probably means he will end up winning none of the awards for which he has been shortlisted. Personally, I'd disqualify him on the grounds that his name alone has a negative impact on the standard of literacy in schools. Plan B has had what would be termed a major breakthrough year. So much so that you wonder just how successful he could have been had he stuck to Plan A. Mark Ronson as usual released some kind of experimental album where he probably mixed the Uzbekistani national anthem with an early 90s dance classic, while I was blissfully unaware of Paul Weller releasing anything last year. Strange but refreshing to see this category Robbie Williams free, but somewhat disappointing that Fyfe Dangerfield who contributed the cover version of 'She's Always A Woman To Me' to the John Lewis advert, taken from a pretty impressive debut solo album, was overlooked in this category. You'd have to say that Plan B and the rapper with the glasses and the misspelt short fuse are the 2 likely winners here, but I'm sticking to the formbook and giving this to Plan B.
MY PREDICTION: Plan B MY SELECTION: In the absence of Fyfe Dangerfield, probably Plan B

BEST BRITISH FEMALE (Cheryl Cole, Ellie Goulding, Laura Marling, Paloma Faith, Rumer)
Hmm, this is a tricky one to call because all of these acts have their supporters and their individual merits. In fact, it is some indictment of the strength around at the moment amongst the female of the species that Adele who has just returned with a new album was not nominated, and neither were Corinne Bailey Rae, Amy MacDonald or KT Tunstall, who each had prolific years in 2010. Cheryl Cole seems to be something of a national treasure these days, although I think that is more for her aesthetic qualities rather than her musical ones. Ellie Goulding is certainly becoming popular in the mainstream, although I personally thought her rendition of 'Your Song' butchered Elton John's original. Laura Marling is quite well known in the folk music scene which is flourishing at the moment, but I would be surprised to see her win the popular vote here. Paloma Faith being nominated will get people excited as she is bound to wear a big hat for the occasion. Musically, Rumer is the best nominee out of all of these as she has an excellent, soulful voice, but for all that, she has had limited commercial success which you tend to need in order to win one of these awards. Cheryl Cole's status as the Queen of Hearts gives her a big chance, but I have an inkling Ellie Goulding's status as the 'in thing' at the moment gives her the edge in this category.
MY PREDICTION: Ellie Goulding MY SELECTION: Rumer

BEST BRITISH BREAKTHROUGH ACT (Ellie Goulding, Mumford & Sons, Rumer, Tinie Tempah, The XX)
This was an award that I believe Florence & The Machine bagged last year and it was significant that the year before, Florence had won the Critics' Choice award, an award that in 2010 was won by....Ellie Goulding. I would say that award is a good barometer for who wins this award the following year because the critics do play a part in making the music buying public aware of new acts. That said, Ms Goulding is up against some very stiff competition in this category. There is a school of thought that Tinie Tempah has to win at least one of the awards he is up for, especially given his consistent chart success last year which helps to pay some of the judging panel's wages. Then there is The XX, an electronic meets indie band that won last year's Mercury Music Prize. That tends not to be a good barometer for the Brits, however. As much as it is good to see Rumer recognised again in this category, I think the biggest challenge to Ellie Goulding here comes from Mumford & Sons, a folk rock band who went down a storm at all of the festivals last summer and who released their excellent debut album 'Sigh No More' at the beginning of last year. You may well claim to not know any of their tracks, but you will do at least on a subconscious level, as the instrumental sections of their tracks have regularly been used for TV trails and on programmes like 'Countryfile'. They should scoop one award on the night, but I think it might come elsewhere.
MY PREDICTION: Ellie Goulding MY SELECTION: Mumford & Sons

BEST BRITISH GROUP (Gorillaz, Biffy Clyro, Mumford & Sons, Take That, The XX)
It is a sign of the times when Take That being nominated for this category is the least controversial selection. There have been some strange choices in this category. How do Gorillaz get nominated when they are still, in the most part, a cartoon band? Biffy Clyro are a poor man's AC/DC yet they have got nominated purely because the X-Factor winner released a lame cover version of one of their already lame songs. Yet, the Manic Street Preachers release some of their best material in over a decade, and they are strangely overlooked. This looks like a straight fight between Take That and Mumford & Sons and given Take That's mainstream appeal these days where it is does not damage your credibility to admit to liking a couple of their songs even if you are a male, balding, approaching middle age office worker, then it would be surprising to see the odds-on favourite fall at the final fence here in a weak renewal of this category.
MY PREDICTION: Take That MY SELECTION: Mumford & Sons

BEST BRITISH SINGLE (Alexandra Burke & Pitbull - All Night Long, Cheryl Cole - Parachute, Florence & The Machine - You've Got The Love, Matt Cardle - When We Collide, Olly Murs - Please Don't Let Me Go, Plan B - She Said, Scouting For Girls - This Ain't A Love Song, Taio Cruz - Dynamite, Tinie Tempah - Pass Out, The Wanted - All Time Low)
The Wanted inadvertently provide an apt description of this category in their nominated song title, although this category will always reflect buyer behaviour in the charts and as such, the nominees are largely dominated by commercial pop records. The songs that have been nominated are generally what would make the A-playlist on Heart or Juice FM. Looking at this objectively, I would put a line through Alexandra Burke, Matt Cardle, Scouting For Girls and Taio Cruz's chances of winning. Also, Florence & The Machine's nominated song was released over a year ago, which places her at a disadvantage, plus it was also one of her weaker songs. Scouting For Girls will be disqualified on the grounds that the judging panel would not have been able to differentiate their song from anything else they have released. So that leaves the angry, bespectacled rapper who showed how hardcore he was by name-checking Scunthorpe in one of his songs, Her Royal Highness Dame Cheryl Cole, Olly Murs, Plan B and The Wanted. It really is needle in a haystack time here, but I'm sure there must be some law stating that Cheryl Cole must win at least one award on the night, so it will probably be this one, although Olly Murs might be her biggest threat.
MY PREDICTION: Cheryl Cole MY SELECTION: Plan B

BEST BRITISH ALBUM (Plan B, Mumford & Sons, Take That, Tinie Tempah, The XX)
Well, last year when this category's nominees were announced, I identified that I had listened to none of the nominated albums during the course of the year. This year, I have listened to one album in full (Mumford & Sons) and downloaded half of another album (The XX), so as Take That say in the title of their nomination, that's Progress. Nonetheless, there are some notable absentees from this category. The Manics, The Courteeners, Fyfe Dangerfield, Klaxons and Rumer all released albums last year that were worthy of inclusion. Of those that have been nominated, it would be surprising if Take That were to claim this award as they are not really renowned as a group that release life affirming albums, but are more of a singles group. Tinie Tempah and Plan B's albums were among the most successful commercially last year, while the XX had a critically acclaimed one. Crucially though, Mumford & Sons appear to have the album that bridged the gap between commercial sales and critical acclaim, and they have led a trend that has seen folk rock become popular on the radio again. For that reason, I mark them down as favourites in this category, although Plan B looks likely to be the other main contender.
MY PREDICTION: Mumford & Sons MY SELECTION: Mumford & Sons

INTERNATIONAL MALE SOLO ARTIST (Cee-Lo Green, Bruce Springsteen, David Guetta, Eminem, Kanye West)
I am going to hold my hands up and admit to my complete ignorance in not knowing who one of these nominees is, David Guetta. He sounds like he was the third choice, unused goalkeeper in Spain's World Cup winning squad. Due to his anonymity, I am anticipating that the Brits Panel aren't that familiar with him either, so I'm putting a line through him. Bruce Springsteen, music legend though he has been, is surely only nominated to remind the general public that his pulse remained intact into 2011. Although I don't profess to be an aficianado where the rap scene is concerned, I don't recall 2010 being a vintage year for Eminem and while I dare say Kanye West was kept busy on the collaboration front, I don't think it was his defining year either. In contrast, Cee-Lo Green seemed to be everywhere last year with his first major solo project and he enjoyed quite a lot of chart success too. Therefore, I think the man who may be a distant relative of Shrek's will be far from a donkey on Brits Night.
MY PREDICTION: Cee-Lo Green MY SELECTION: Cee-Lo Green

INTERNATIONAL FEMALE SOLO ARTIST (Kylie Minogue, Katy Perry, Rihanna, Alicia Keys, Robyn)
If this category was won purely on the basis of airplay and TV appearances, the presence of New York's favourite warbling ivory tinkler, Alicia Keys, would surely determine the result in her favour. She is not without a chance but she is up against some big hitters. At the risk of sounding like the Pub Landlord, everyone likes a bit of Kylie, don't they? Even so, I think Kylie's best days as a recording artist are probably behind her now and so it is hard to see her winning this award in this year. This looks like a straight fight between Mrs Russell Brand and R&B's favourite promoter of rain protection gear. Katy Perry is a bit of Marmite figure, but whereas I find her to be at least mildly irritating, she certainly has her supporters and she had plenty more chart success last year. The same applies to Rihanna though and I think I am right in saying she has now had a number 1 hit in each of the last 5 years. Expect there to be some fireworks if Ms Perry loses, but I'm calling this one for Rihanna.
MY PREDICTION: Rihanna MY SELECTION: Alicia on the music front, Kylie on the 'all-round package'

INTERNATIONAL BREAKTHROUGH ACT (Bruno Mars, The Glee Cast, The Temper Trap, Justin Bieber, The National)
What an uninspiring collection of misfits we have here! The uncontrolled laughter you could hear was me rolling around in hysterics upon reading that the Glee cast had been nominated. One presumes that the Brit judging panel is largely made up of women. The Temper Trap's nomination is curious given that their big radio friendly hit 'Sweet Disposition' was released the year before last and I don't recall them releasing anything since. The National are a good, up-and-coming indie band who might attract more of a following in the next couple of years, but they are largely unknown by most people in this country at the moment, so it is hard to see them winning. That leaves Bruno Mars and Justin Bieber, and given that he seems to be the latest teen sensation, I'd be surprised if the Bieber juggernaut did not crush everything in its path.
MY PREDICTION: Justin Bieber MY SELECTION: The National

INTERNATIONAL GROUP (Arcade Fire, Black Eyed Peas, Kings Of Leon, The Script, Vampire Weekend)
Looks like a bit of a wide open category here given that none of these acts had what you would term a spectacular 2010. Black Eyed Peas are one of those acts that I've never quite understood how they attract the level of popularity that they have, and I gather that their performance at the Superbowl left a lot to be desired. Kings Of Leon could have made 2010 the year they became the biggest band in the world following on from their previous album, but from what I have heard of their latest material, they are quite some way short of the level they found when 'Use Somebody' and 'Sex On Fire' made it big. The Script are another one in the Scouting For Girls category where most of their songs sound about the same, but they have enjoyed a lot of chart success through churning out lots of dull, radio friendly material. Arcade Fire and Vampire Weekend seem to represent the Q/NME readers with their presence in this category and in what is a close contest, I expect Vampire Weekend's reputation as a good live band to give them the edge over the Canadian rock band, although I personally would give Arcade Fire the nod.
MY PREDICTION: Vampire Weekend MY SELECTION: Arcade Fire

INTERNATIONAL ALBUM (Arcade Fire, Cee Lo Green, Eminem, Katy Perry, Kings Of Leon)
I don't have a lot of personal insight to offer in this category as I have only downloaded tracks from 2 of the nominated albums (Arcade Fire and Kings Of Leon). However, I would anticipate there being a lot of excess filler on a Katy Perry album judging by some of the dirge that her record company persuaded her to release as single cuts. While I am not best placed to appraise the finer workings of Kings Of Leon's latest long play, I have not heard anything particularly inspiring that was released from it. While I'm guessing that lesser known Eminem album tracks probably consisted of a disproprortionately high percentage of cursory invective. That then leaves Arcade Fire and Cee Lo Green, and while Arcade Fire had more critical acclaim, the Reverend Green (I'm not sure he is actually a man of the cloth) has had more mainstream exposure and chart success, so I can see him winning his second award here.
MY PREDICTION: Cee Lo Green MY SELECTION: Arcade Fire

CRITICS' CHOICE (Jessie J, James Blake, The Vaccines)
This award has already been decided with the singer-songwriter Jessie J guaranteed to collect the award on the night. That immediately marks her down as someone to look out for in some of the more senior categories in 12 months time. I am not familiar with her work, or that of the 2 nominees. James Blake seems to have had a career change from the days when he was a bandana wearing, American tennis player that won the pre-Wimbledon Queens Club tournament one year, although judging by his photo, he may also have had a head change since then too. The Vaccines doesn't exactly seem like a very rock and roll name, does it?


In addition to these awards, there is also an award for Best Producer, but your guess on that one is as good as mine. A couple of awards are conspicuous by their absence this year though. There's no 'Best Live Act', which is surprising given the number of festivals there are now. Nor is there a 'Lifetime Achievement' category this year, presumably because they have run out of credible people to give that award to. Surely a band like Texas, back in the recording studio after 20 years in the business, would be a worthy future candidate for that award if it is brought back.