Ok, kids, just like 365 days ago I’m going to celebrate my second year of being on last.fm by counting down the artists I’ve scrobbled the most. Unlike last year, we’re counting down from 30 (not 20) and we’ll also keep track of total scrobbles per artist and how they’re moving relative to the rest of the list. (Now, since I only kept track of the scrobble numbers in the top 20, the change in rank compared to last year past the top 20 is only a guesstimate, hence the "about" in the descriptions.)

One year after my first list, I am starting to notice that there’s much more separation between the artists towards the top. There’s still room for artists to move, but quite a few artists seem to have a comfortable placement in the top ten. (The further you go down the list, especially past the top 50, the numbers are closer and tighter.) Anyhow, we'll note take of some stats and then count the list down.

(all figures as of 8pm CST 8/29/08)
total tracks scrobbled = 43,526
total artists in my library = 1,191
total friends = 16

30) Idaho (234 plays, up about 10)

Although lumped in the "slowcore" genre along with Red House Painters, Low, Rex and Codeine, Idaho have always been an island to themselves. From their four-string guitar philosophy to the deep, brooding vocals of founder and sole mainstay Jeff Martin, Idaho had a distinctive sound from the get-go. Nowadays, the rock leanings of the past has altered to more atmospheric, instrumental mood pieces. For my money, their 1996 album Three Sheets to the Wind is one of the best of the 90s and I still listen to it regularly.

29) Johan (236 plays, waaay up)

Speaking of bands who never got their due in the States, this Dutch quartet has only seen their debut issued over here, and that was 10 years ago! They have released two albums since then (2001's Pergola and 2006's THX JHN) and thanks to my emusic subscription, I've discovered them both in the past 12 months. Anyone looking for smart, adult guitar pop shoudl definitely check them out if the name doesn't ring a bell...they may end up in your top 30, too!

28) Foo Fighters (250 plays, down about 6)

One of the few current top 40 acts I have time for. Dave Grohl always seems to *gasp* ENJOY being a rock star and also geniunely loves making music for a living. That said, I wasn't exactly bowled over by last year's Echoes, Silence, Patience & Grace but the Foos still have a pretty stellar track-for track batting average by my ears, so I would think they'll stick in the top 30.

27) Steely Dan (256 plays, down about 5)

Music fans tend to find the Dan a pretty polarizing band, some not able to get past the easy listening background to hear the great jazzy chord changes and eyebrow raising lyrics. Of course, this is my page and I say their 70s output remains as captivating today as they were when I first heard them in high school/college. Can't say much for their two "comeback" albums released this decade, except that sounds like it was formulated by people in white lab coats....

26) They Might Be Giants (257 plays, down about 3)

TMBG were a huge fave of mine back in high shcool and early college, and it took the Gigantic documentary to put some of their stuff in my iTunes library. I still don't listen to an album's worth of their matieral, but their short, quirky ditties work well in a shuffle context.

25) De La Soul (258 plays, down 10)

De La take quite a tumble, yet still are still the only hip-hop act in my top 30. Which is ironic because I've been listening to my fair share of hip-hop, but from a rather wide gamut (Wale, The Roots, Starpower, the new Ice Cube, etc) I keep meaning to get De La's latest, and once I do, I'm sure they'll rocket back up the charts.

24) Eric Mattthews (259 plays, up about 3)

After making 2 of my fave LPs of the 90s, Mr. Matthews took a eight year sabbatical. Considering he's released two EPs and two LPs in the last 3 years, it's safe to say he's making up for lost time. This year's The Imagination Stage returns to the formula that made him an act to watch ten years ago, with Eric's smoky croon wrapping around elegant chamber pop.

23) Gomez (261 plays, down 7)

I'll be honest; I forget about these guys sometimes. I like 'em just fine and none of their albums are out and out bad, but they fall out of my rotation and have a hard time getting back in. Maybe a new album will correct my oversight...

22) Eels (270 plays, down 5)

Like Gomez above, I haven't had much occasion to blast their stuff en masse. Unlike Gomez, I haven't been keeping up with their discography as there's their b-side comp Useless Trinkets-B Sides, Soundtracks, Rarieties and Unreleased 1996-2006 as well as their live album Live At Town Hall. (There's also a greatest hits album, but since I have all the LPs I think I'll pass on that.)

21) PJ Harvey (271 plays, waaaaay up)

Well, I finally got around to hearing White Chalk and I quite liked it, as PJ's sudden burst up my charts can attest to. Add in that I found the Dry / Demonstration bonus disc and am shocked at how much I prefer it to the actual album. So, miss Polly may climb higher yet... stay tuned.

T19) Suede (272 plays, down 5)

As I said last year, I have so much Suede material in my ITunes library, they're bound to stay towards the top of my charts, even 5 years after they broke up. Maybe I'll remove their stuff from the library one day, but I still get a kick out of them when they show up on my shuffle.

T19) The Who (272 plays, down 2)

Most of the time an artists moves up the charts, it's because I'm listening to full albums quite a few times (yes, some people still do listen to albums straight through!) This poses a problem for the Who because all their albums in my library are at least an hour, and I'm been gravitating towards shorter LPs. But when a Who kick arrives, it's gonna hit harder than Keith Moon used to.

18) Randy Newman (278 plays, up about 17)

Rather than credit his new one Harps And Angels which I have yet to hear, the main reason for Randy's big leap on my charts is getting the Guilty: 30 Years Of Randy Newman box set in my grubby mitts. Weird but true fact: Randy was quoted in the latest Rolling Stone is being really impressed by the lyrics of one Steven Patrick Morrissey....

17) Neil Young (288 plays, up about 8)

He puts out about an album a year, that humungazoid box set is finally set to come out, and even at his worst (the Human Highway soundtrack, anyone?) he's extremely interesting. That's how you stay at the top of my charts. And the above talley doesn't even factor in his Crazy Horse collaborations...

16) Idlewild (295 plays, down 5)

I finally did manage to get Promises/warnings (side note: that whole copyright control crap embedded in the disc which makes it very hard to put on an iTunes library makes you hate the album before you even hear it!) but their 2 classics remain 100 Broken Windows and The Remote Part so it remains to be seen if they can keep Idlewild towards my chart's upper reaches.

T14) Broadcast (302 plays, up about 7)

One of my favorite currently active bands... I love how they come out with a new sonic approach each album yet still remain a core sound and identity all their own. When they FINALLY release a new LP, expect them to soar up the charts.

T13) The Smiths (302 plays, down 1)

See my post last year....their songs still ring true, two decades after they pulled the plug. It says something their stature continues to rise every year. Reminds me of some Liverpool band of the 60s...

13) The Magnetic Fields (342 plays, down 6)

Unless my library searches become more fruitful, I figure Distorstion will be on my 2008 halo list, and considering I took off about 4 albums of theirs, they may slip further.

12) Pernice Brothers (344 plays, down 2)

Joe and company still get lots of plays here, and a new album would greatly assist in that regard, Er, hint, hint?

11) Blur (345 plays, down 2)

They only dipped a little (like Suede, there's a lot of their stuff in my library) but my enthuiasm for them continues to wane. I'm not even sure they'll still a band yet, with all of Damon Alburn's side projects and Graham Coxon out of the picture seemingly forever.

10) Morrissey (371 plays, down 2)

The Randy Newman-approved Pope of Mope won't have an album out now til the beginning of next year, and his Greatest Hits album released earlier this year comically overstates the staying power of his last two efforts, but Morrissey will always be a sentimental fave of mine, so don't expect him to dip much.

9) American Music Club (420 plays, up 10)

Another big gainer, much of it thanks to this year's The Golden Age. Mark Eitzel and co. have quite a few albums in their past that won't gather dust in the recesses on my iTunes.

8) Supergrass (431 plays, up 4)

See? Release a new album like the 'Garse (this year's Diamond Hoo Ha) and you move up the chart. Of course, it helps that it was a really good album, but then again, I've come to expect nothing less from them.

7) The Beach Boys (445 plays, down 1)

Another act who benefits by having a giant catalogue trapped in my ITunes, but I still discover new things from them. Plus, you have to figure Pet Sounds should get a few plays between now and next year...

6) Wilco (488 plays, down 3)

Wilco take a bit of a dip, but it's more other artists racking up much more plays than Wilco actually losing any. It may be a while before a new Wilco LP gets onto the shelves; hopefully it won't affect Wilco's position too much.

5) Radiohead (489 plays, up 14)

Yeah, how a year chages things, eh? You may not have heard about it, but Radiohead released a new album this year. in rainbows, I think it was called. They released it on the net, and it bombed. Nobody heard it except for me, I think. I heard Thom Yorke had to sell his spleen on eBay to make back some of the money. I hope a 14 slot advance is a bit of a consolation, and hopefully the boys in Radiohead will learn that deserting the major labels will only hurt you in the end.

4) XTC (597 plays, down 2)

I'm noticing an ongoing phenomenon, that current bands are moving up the chart, whereas bands that no longer exist are going down the chart. It is so bizarre, there's no way to explain it. But all that aside, don't expect XTC to fall too far -- I enjoy their approach and craft too much for them to do an utter nosedive.

3) R.E.M. (626 plays, up 2)

Hard to say a lot more about a band I've loved since, what, 7th-8th grade? Well, the new one's (Accelerate) pretty great, and their older stuff still hits me in the right place. So there.

2) The Beatles (647 plays, down 1)

The Fab Four finally abdicate their number one slot, and while I wouldn't go so far as saying the Beatles should pass a torch to the new number one act, it is fitting that both acts emphasize a band as a united front and each member sings different songs. The Beatles have sold a few more records, though.

1) Sloan (754 plays, up 3)

With enjoying both a new album and an album I haven't gotten around to yet, Sloan leapfrog into the number one position with a nice 100 track buffer between them and the former champ. Sloan stand for all the things I love about pop music: caring about the end product, yet not taking yourself too seriously. Each member getting a chance to create, but enough democracy to not become torn apart by ego. They're on their ninth album....am I selfish enough to humbly request at least one more?

Well, *whew* that's it....seeya next year!

All the names The Game dropped on LAX
Artists:

Dr. Dre: 6 Times
Notorious B.I.G.: 6 Times
2Pac: 5 Times
Kanye West: 5 Times
50 Cent/Curtis: 5 Times
Suge Knight: 4 times
Jay-Z - 3 Times
Snoop Dogg: 3 Times
Lil' Wayne: 2 Times
Ice Cube: 2 Times
Ludacris: 2 Times
Mary J. Blige: 2 Times
Rakim: 2 Times
Diddy: 2 Times

Scarface
Big Boi
Young Jeezy
Common
Spice1
Beanie Sigel
Erick Sermon
Baby
Slim
Jazzy Pha
Scott Storch
Akon
MC Ren
Beyoncé
Rihanna
Young Buck
T-Pain
Mobb Deep
M.O.P.
Shock G
Shyne
Will Smith
Uncle Luke
LL Cool J
Public Enemy
N.W.A
New Edition
Naughty by Nature
Black Rob
DJ Kool Herc
DJ Red Alert
Big Daddy Kane
Frankie Beverly and Maze
The D.O.C.
Bob Marley
Do or Die
Cuban Link
Eminem

Sports:
Lebron James: 2 Times
Michael Jordan
Dwight Howard
Chris Paul
Tony Parker
Mike Tyson
Kobe Bryant
Shaq
Venus & Serena Williams
Paul Pierce

Jesse Jackson: 2 Times
Delicious (Flavor Of Love): 2 Times
Kurt Kobain
John Lennon
Don Imus
Frank Lucas
Jacob The Jeweler
O-Dog
Pablo Escobar
Tyra Banks
Martha Stewart
Vanessa Del Rio
Ronald Raegan
Jackie Chan
Gandhi
Rosa Parks
Martin Luther King
Bill Gates
Barack Obama
Hillary Clinton
Nelson Mandela
Coretta Scott

These are not my favourite 100 albums in order, they are the 100 albums i have played the most, therefore i don't like some of them as much as i used to.

100. N.W.A -- Straight Outta Compton
I Love this album because it captures the turmoil in LA at the time, and also has the perfect mix of clever lyrics(Ice Cube/EazyE) and great production (DrDre)
Favourite Tracks: Straight Outta Compton, Fuck Tha Police & Express Yourself
Worst Track: A Bitch Iz A Bitch (Misogynistic Nonsense!)

99.
Rage Against the Machine -- Live at the Grand Olympic Auditorium
My favourite band of all time, supposed to have a brilliant live atmosphere, however this release is lacking that special buzz or potentcy. The CD also omits the live collabaration with Cypress Hill thats on the DVD.
Favourite Tracks: Shelter, Calm Like A Bomb, Freedom
Worst Track: Bombtrack

98. No Doubt -- Tragic Kingdom
Not usually a fan of Ska-Pop but this album is classic, good time songs mixed with the occasional emotional track, much better than Gwen's solo attempts.
Favourite Tracks: Just A Girl, Hey You & Sixteen
Worst Track: World Goes Round

97. Bloodhound Gang -- One Fierce Beer Coaster
This is a relic from my immature childhood listening habits, no longer appreciate this bands work i'm afraid.
Favourite Track: Fire Water Burn
Worst Track: the rest

96. Bloodhound Gang -- Hooray for Boobies
Same applies, with a name like this you know its gonna be bad! The only track i still enjoy is Along Comes Mary, nice Alternative Rock track there.
Favourite Tracks: Along Comes Mary & I Hope You Die
Worst Track: Everything Else

95. The Prodigy -- Always Outnumbered, Never Outgunned
The Prodigy are the best electronic based band in the world in my opinion because they were able to mix it with Rock, Metal, Funk, hiphop etc. However this album lacks most of this, and the MC Skills of Maxim which is a shame. Keith Flint is also missing so it lacks that Anarchy that the other albums has.
Favourite Tracks: Spitfire, Wake Up Call & The Way It Is
Worst Track: Pheonix

94.Gwen Stefani --
Love.Music.Angel.Baby
This is a good album and i dont care what you think lol. Some great production work from the likes of DrDre, and the brilliant imagery in tracks such as What You Waiting For, all this makes it an enjoyable listen.
Favourite Tracks: What You Waiting For?, Hollaback Girl & Danger Zone
Worst Track: Long Way To Go (Positive Message, Shit Song!)

93. Chris Cornell -- Euphoria Morning
I like Soundgarden, Audioslave and Temple of the Dog, so i was excited by the prospect of his solo effort. Some say its disappointing, and whilst its not as good as his previous musical deliverings, it features some catchy songs and is a prime example of acoustic guitar work and post grunge.
Favourite Tracks: Preaching The End Of The World & Flutter Girl
Worst Track: the french version of Can't Change Me

92. Radiohead -- in rainbows
The best free album ever! Was so good i bought the cd as well. It continues the bands shift away from the mainstream but doesnt feature much electronic elements like the last few albums. Thom Yorke lyricism is some of his best ever such as All I Need, although the music is somewhat uninspiring in places.
Favourite Tracks: All I Need, Bodysnatchers & House Of Cards
Worst Track: Videotape

91. Kate Nash -- Made of Bricks
Some find her singing annoying and yes it can become monotone in places, but no one can rhyme and make jokes like her. Really talented and fun but also personal record that can be listened to over and over.
Favourite Tracks: Foundations, Mariella & Skeleton Song
Worst Track: Shit Song (literally)

90. Jay-Z -- In My Lifetime, Vol 1
My favourite rapper of all time, this was his first big album after his brilliant debut Reasonable Doubt. Brought him to the mainstream but his still rapped about the street and his journey, with some wicked samples.
Favourite Tracks: Friend Or Foe98, Rap Game/Crack Game & Sunshine
Worst Track: You Must Love Me

89. Velvet Revolver Contraband
I liked the music of GnRs but always though Axl Rose was a racist homophobic cock. But replace him with the Stone Temple Pilots singer, hmmmm. While this is no Appetite For Destruction, it does feature some kick ass songs, with Slash showing some brilliant guitar work. Gritty but still good, and the Sex Pistols cover is brilliant.
Favourite Tracks: Fall To Pieces, Slither & Bodies
Worst Track: Loving The Alien (just awful)

88. Pendulum -- Hold Your Colour
My first DnB album, also my favourite. Its so heavy and dark its almost like the metal of dance music. Brilliant samples with clips from Willy Wonka and Spiderman amongst my favourites. The songs change tempo and style throughout meaning it doesnt get stagnant.
Favourite Tracks: Slam, Girl In The Fire & Another Planet
Worst Track: Sounds Of Life

87. The White Stripes -- Get Behind Me Satan
The only album by them i have :( . It has its moments but some of it is a bit dull. I think it is because it lacks a bass guitar in most of it, the piano work is good though.
Favourite Tracks: Blue Orchid, My Doorbell & Red Rain
Worst Track: the Nurse

86.

85. Linkin Park -- Reanimation
Oh dear! Not really a huge fan of this band anymore, and this album is weak at best. Some shocking remixes in here, and spelling that would make the bands english teacher cry! Bringing in Jonathon Davis on a track was clever though
Favourite Tracks: 1st Klosr & My<Dsmbr
Worst Tracks: The Rest (Tha Rst)

84. Ice Cube -- The Predator
the last great Ice Cube album, before he sold out and made family movies. Still on near top form here, he revels in his former controversies whilst shaking the foundations with social commentries like We Had To Tear This Motherfucker Up
Favourite Tracks: It Was A Good Day, we Had To Tear this Motherfucker Up & Check Yo Self
Worst Track: Fuck Em

83. Red Hot Chili Peppers --
Californication
Their first true RHCP alternative album, whilst its has many good tracks, some let it down badly and it doesnt cut the mustard like the early funk records, some sad but beautiful lyrical topics in Scar Tissue and Otherside
Favourite Tracks: Scar Tissue, Otherside & Right On Time
Worst track: Purple Stain (No, just no!)

82. Pearl Jam -- Vs
The last real grunge album by Pearl Jam, whilst not as good as their debut, it still packs a considerable punch, and the drumming and guitar stands out to me. After this they decided to destroy their fame, and nothing after this was as good.
Favourite Tracks: Go, Dissident & Rearviewmirror
Worst Track: Rats

81. 2Pac All Eyez on Me
His final album, and what a lot of album it is. Nearly 2 Full hours of material, its rather generous. However, some of is boring as hell and he raps about the same things over and over, with not as much political angst in his earlier work.
Favourite Tracks: Ambitionz Az A Ridah, Only God Can Judge Me & 2 Of Amerikaz Most Wanted
Worst Track: Whatz Ya Phone # (Him having phone sex, hmm yeah great)

80. The Offspring -- Smash
There stuff before was shabby, their stuff afterwards was sellout-ish. This was the high point of not only their career, but also 90s Punk. It is so relevant today as it was then, dealing with teen angst, war, end of the world, drugs and gun culture. I used to listen to this on loop in year9.
Favourite tracks: Genocide, Come Out And Play & Not The One
Worst Track: Time To Relax

79. Faith No More -- The Platinum Collection
Features all the high points of their career, much of which excitingly varies between Funk, Metal, Rock, Rap etc. However, there are too many poor covers from the likes of Lionel Richie and the Bee Gees. Because it is a compilation, there is no flow to the songs either.
Favourite Tracks: Epic, Midlife Crisis & Last Cup Of Sorrow
Worst Track: Easy

78. The Panic Channel -- (ONe)
A rather bland album, listened to most of these scrobbles on a boring weekend away. Dave Navarro and Stephen Perkins are wasting there time in this band. I never listen to this in full anymore, cant be bothered.
Favourite Tracks: Why Cry & Night One
Worst Track: The rest of the album

77. Blink-182 -- blink-182
A move away from their immature work of past, featuring some thought provoking songs including a collabaration with Robert Smith, although can get a bit slow in places.
Favourite Tracks: I Miss You, Go & all of this
Worst Track: Violence

76. Cypress Hill -- Black Sunday
This album is buzzing, the greatest Hip Hop group of all time. A brilliant and perfect mix between stoned beats, gangsta rapping and marijuana advocacy. Also has some crossover hits that increased its popularity.
Favourite Tracks: I Wanna Get High, I aint going Out Like That & Lick A Shot
Worst Track: What Goes Around Comes Around Kid

75. Green Day -- Dookie
A Very Good Album, shame they never equalled it. Before they thought they were the political voice for USA/MTV they made cool songs about girls and drugs. And thats what they should of stayed like! Perfect soundtrack to high school.
Favourite Tracks: Longview, Welcome To Paradise & Coming Clean
Worst Track: In The End

74. Fall Out Boy From Under the Cork Tree
Are they emo? Who cares, its a talented album that features catchy and memerable music with the occasional clever lyric. They too sold out (even more) and now pretend to be Michael Jackson. Now known as the pete wentz experience.
Favourite Tracks: Dance Dance, 7 minutes of Heavan, XO
Worst Track: Nobody Puts Baby In The Corner

73. Gnarkill -- GNARKILL
No comment, too damn childish.

72. Public Enemy -- It Takes A Nation Of Millions To Hold Us Back
Some of the most political hiphop ever made, Chuck D wasnt a musician, he was a revolutionairy! They preach about about whats wrong with both the street and the establishment, but some of the beats let this album down (Poor Queen Sampling Anyone)
Favourite Tracks: Bring The Noise, She Watches Channel Zero & Black Steel in the Hour Of Chaos.
Worst Track:Terminator X to the edge of Panic

71. Ice Cube -- Death Certificate
One of the most angry, political and contraversial albums of all time, it could only be Ice Cube. It captues the LA riots in the form of Hip Hop, giving an insight into what the people on the street felt, not what the media felt. Unfortunatly he decides to stray to ignorance at times with several anti-semitic and Korean tracks.
Favourite Tracks:Steady Mobbin, Horny Lil Devil & How to Survive In South Central
Worst Track: Black Korea (racist rubbish)

70. Audioslave -- Audioslave
The supergroup of RATM meets Soundgardens first album starts of with the buzzing Cochise and carrys on nicely, but half way through the album it peters out. Some good points, but too many empty ballads and a lack of energy seen in RATM or metal kick assness of Soundgarden.
Favourite Tracks:Cochise, What You Are & Set It Off
Worst Track: I Am The Highway

69. Deftones -- Adrenaline
Oh man this album is so powerful it is scary. Never has a singer put so much emotion into singing as Chino Merono does on this album. Anger, Sadness, Depression, Jealousy. Never has NuMetal been so effective since Korns debut.
Favourite Tracks: Bored, Root & 7 Words
Worst Track: Fireal

68. Oasis -- Stop The Clocks
Its a compilation album but i doesnt feel like one. It flows perfectly and unlike most 'greatest hits' albums, it has a lot of unreleased material on it as well. Its amazing that some of the early Bsides are actually better than most the later album tracks.
Favourite Tracks: Wonderwall, Acquisence & Songbird
Worst Track: Go Let It out

67. Audioslave -- Revelations
The best and ultimately last album by Audioslave, it is good because they finally start to become political, with New Orleans and Iraq on the agenda. Musically its a lot more laid back but balanced, with no bad tracks as such.
Favourite Tracks: Revelations, Original Fire & Wide Awake
Worst Track: One And the Same

66. The Prodigy -- Music for the Jilted Generation
Never has a band changed so much between first and second album than the Prodigy. Rave died and the band had to change or go into obscurity. When they came back they no had elements of Electronic, Goth, Industrial, Funk etc, and it is insane. Some of it is so good it is nearly hypnotic, especially the final part, the Narcotic Suite EP
Favourite Tracks: The Heat(The Energy),Poison & 3 Kilos
Worst Track: One Love

65. The Offspring -- Ixnay on the Hombre
The beggining of the end for the band. It means Fuck The Man in spanish, shows the level of maturity in it. Some high points include the notable Hispanic influences and teen anthem Cool To Hate.
Favourite Tracks: Me And My Old Lady, Cool To Hate & Gone Away
Worst Track: Intermission

64. Nirvana -- In Utero
No one could follow up Nevermind, so Nirvana didnt. They made an album so uncommercial, but with such heart wrenching and intimate lyrics, it still makes it a classic.
Favourite Tracks: Heart Shaped Box, Dumb & Very Ape
Worst Tracks: Radio Friendly Unit Shifter

63. Blink-182 -- Cheshire Cat
Not the greatest debut of all time it must be said. Songs about uriniation and farting, no thanks. An album for pre teenage years.
Favourite Tracks: M+Ms, Strings & TV
Worst Tracks: Most of the rest

62. Linkin Park -- Hybrid Theory
Again, another album i used to listen to, it has its moments, but they are few and far between. No guitar riffs, poor rapping, Metal that belongs and was made for MTV. Very produced and clean.
Favourite Tracks: One Step Closer, Runaway & A Place For My Head
Worst Track: Points Of Authority

61. Lil' Wayne -- Tha Carter II
The second part in a very impressive trilogy, my favourite southern rap album by my favourite Southern rapper. Some of the rhyming is fresh and his sampling is varied and original.
Favourite Tracks:Money On My Mind, Fireman & Best Rapper Alive
Worst Track: Get Over

60. Blink-182 -- Dude Ranch
Their first big and decent album, probably my favourite of there's, still enough rock not to be credited as Pop Punk, it also had a certain degree of ironic humour, not just toilet humour!
Favourite Tracks: Voyeur, Dammit & Dick Lips
Worst Track: A New Hope

59. Radiohead -- Hail to the Thief
In my opinion i think this is Radioheads most political album, the title refering to the 2000 US election. The album furthers their pursuit of electronic music but the vocals also add an extra depth with its blunt honesty.
Favourite Tracks: Myxomatosis, There There & A Punch Up At A Wedding
Worst Track: The Gloaming

58. Lil' Wayne -- Tha Carter III
The best part of 'Tha Carter' trilogy, simply because each of the tracks differ in terms of beats and sampling, but all have Lil Waynes quick witted lyricism and referencing ability in common. Also starting to get more political as well. No wonder why this album sold so many copies, it rocks!
Favourite Tracks: Phone Home, Let The Beat Build & You Ain't Got Nuthin On Me
Worst Track: Mrs Officer

57. Alice in Chains -- Dirt
Probably the heaviest and scariest grunge album i own. This is a very special album, the angst ridden metal music interwoven with Layne Stayleys terrified singing. An album of two parts, Part1: drugs are fun, Part2 they really aren't!
Favourite Tracks: Down In A Hole, Godsmack & Would?
Worst Track: Iron Gland

56. Jay-Z -- The Blueprint
Just when his career was starting to go down hill, he came back with the Blueprint. Written in just 7 days apparently, it has even more clever lyrics than Reasonable Doubt. Also feels less crowded because there are only a few guest perfomers.
Favourite Tracks: Takeover, Jigga That Nigga & Heart Of The City
Worst Track: Blueprint

55. Nirvana -- Unplugged In New York
Easily the best live album ever made! This posthumous release adds a whole new dimension to Nirvana's work. Reworking some of their songs into an acoustic version and covering tracks by David Bowie, Meat Puppets etc, this is a rare example when a band shys away from their biggest but not always best hits.
Favourite Tracks: Polly, Plateau & Where Did You Sleep Last Night
Worst Track: Pennyroyal Tea

54. System of a Down -- Mezmerize
The first album i bought by SOAD, easily one of their wierdest, probably not as good as Toxicity, but it still packs a punch. Unfortunatly this was the album that Daron Malakian started to sing on. I always prefered Serj. The songs themselves are very political, from international to home.
Favourite Tracks:Cigaro, Question! & Sad Statue
Worst Track: Radio/Video

53. Zwan -- Mary Star of the Sea
The only happy 'Smashing Pumpkins' album. Much like a sequal to Siamese Dream just no quite as good. Billy Corgans lyrics are touching and have that feel good element to them. I also like Pajo's guitar work. Shame they only released one of their albums.
Favourite Tracks:Lyric, Yeah! & Jesus I
Worst Track: Of A Broken Heart

52. Radiohead -- Pablo Honey
So very different from their other albums, almost grunge like in places. The album is very average apart from the first two songs. They truely show Thom Yorkes potential as a brilliant song writer.
Favourite Tracks: You, Creep & Anyone Can Play Guitar
Worst Track: Thinking About You.

51. Box Car Racer -- Box Car Racer

I never liked Tom DeLonge as much as Mark Hoppus, but this is his greatest piece of work ever! Much more mature and reflective than Blink, it tells the story of a world that is going through self destruct. Many references to 9/11 and the world at the time, make it an interesting listen.
Favourite Tracks: Cat Like Thief, And I & Elevator
Worst Track: My First Punk Song

50. System of a Down -- System of a Down
A Brutal and heavy affair that kicks so much butt its unbelievable. Firmly announced SOADs arrival as the post RATM political band. Features a huge pride for their Armenian heritage and mixing it with American Metal. Crazy Stuff.
Favourite Tracks: Suite Pee, Know & Sugar
Worst Track: Ddevil

49. The Prodigy -- Fat Of The Land
The album that made them world superstars, also molded them into more of a band like ensamble. Contraversial lyrics, claustrophobic videos, and imaginative sampling, this album was on my cd player for months.
Favourite Tracks: Breathe, Mindfields & Climbatize
Worst Track: Serial Thrilla

48. KoЯn -- Korn
This is scary scary stuff. Bunch of outcasts from a small town become the outcasts of the music scene. They don't fit in, and they sing about it. Very angry, remorseful, and soul searching is found on the album. The drumming is insane, taking a keen influence from HipHop Beats, whilst Jonathon Davis debuts his unique bag pipe solo's and nursery rhyme recitals.
Favourtie Tracks: Divine, Faget & Shoots and Ladders
Worst Track: Ball Tongue

47. Jay-Z -- The Black Album
The first Rap album i ever bought, i used to think it was the bees knees. To be fair there are some brilliant tracks, especially the Rick Rubin produced 99 Problems, but there is alot of filler. The lyricism isnt so good, but producers like Rick and Kanye West bring it back up.
Favourite Tracks: 99 Problems, Dirt Of Your Shoulder & Public Service Anouncment
Worst Track: December 4th

46. Pearl Jam -- Ten
The greatest grunge album i ve ever heard. Everything about it is perfect, not a single bad track. Eddie Veddars vocals are so gravely yet relaxing and capturing, this album has so many huge tracks, Jeremy can be played over and over and it still doesnt lose that edge.
Favourtie Tracks: Once, even flow & Jeremy
Worst Track: Alive (Live Version)

45.
Chamillionaire -- The Sound of Revenge
Most people reject this album/artist because of MTV hits like Ridin and other generic crap. However if you get passed that, there are some real gems on the album. The rapping is nothing special, but some of the backing beats are classic.
Favourite Tracks: In The Trunk, Southern Takeover & Fly As The Sky
Worst Track: Ridin

44.
Kanye West -- The College Dropout
Dont listen to it if you are unsure about whether to go to University, Kanye will try to persuade you not to. Very anti-college but with brilliant lines and production by himself. Touching on all kinds of subject matter, from religion to love, the album would be perfect if not for all the skits in it, which become a bit annoying.
Favourite Tracks: Spaceship, Jesus Walks & Get Em High
Worst Tracks: Slow Jamz

43. Wiley -- Playtime is Over
My second favourite grime album of all time. Happy positive beats in contrast to the dark subject matter, with the occasional hit here and there. Funny culture references round almost every corner.
Favourite Tracks: 50/50, Johnny Was A Bad Boy & Eski-Boy
Worst Tracks: Come Lay With Me

42. System of a Down -- Steal This Album
The first Bsides album in my list, some of these tracks are very good and should of been put on the albums. Others are there as filler though and others can be moronic like Fuck The System. Some emotional slow tracks as well that differs from their other work.
Favourite Tracks: NuGuns, I-E-A-I-A-I-O & Mr Jack
Worst Track: 36

41. The Libertines -- The Libertines
Not usually my sort of thing, but this is very impressive. You can really feel the chemistry and ethic between Doherty and Barat, and it is a very personal recording. Shame that their falling out and drug use meant this was their last album. A messy effect gives it that indie feel.
Favourite Tracks: What Became Of The Likely Lads, Can't Stand Me Now & The Man Who Would Be King
Worst Track: Albeit Macht Frei

40. G-Unit -- Beg For Mercy
Its embarrising to have anything by 50 Cent and his Crew in my charts and this album is nothing special. MTV rap at its most commercial, the only thing going for it is some of the beats and the freestyle at the end.
Favourite Tracks: My Buddy, Im So Hood & G'd Up
Worst Track: I Smell Pussy

39. Dr. Dre -- 2001
A great rap album, mixing Dr Dre's great production skills and encyclopedic knowledge of sampling music, with his blazed lyrics, especially the occasional help from Snoop Dogg. So many big hits on here, a couple of tracks let it down, normally the ones where woman are described as objects, and the ones where he glamorizes that kind of thing.
Favourite Tracks: Still DRE, The Next Episode & Murder Ink
Worst Track: Pause 4 Porno

38. The Smashing Pumpkins -- Adore
Many people dont rate this album but i love it. Its so emotional, dealing with Billy's mothers death and his love life. Introducing electronic elements it is rather dark and slow, with the drumming being rather repetitive, because of them using a drum machine.
Favourite Tracks: Ava Adore, Pug & For Martha
Worst Track: The Tale Of Dusty And Pistol Pete

37. Lethal Bizzle -- Against All Oddz
Lethal Bizzle debut album, clearly more grime than indie at that point. Some of his rhymes are poor, but the production is usually rather good,a nice mixture of slow and fast songs. He mentions his appreciation for being where he is, which not many rap artists do.
Favourite Tracks: Uh Oh, Mind Your Head & Fuck You
Worst Track: What We Do

36. Pendulum -- In Silico
The Kings of the DnB scene, this album isnt as good as the debut but is easier to listen to, less heavy and more varied. It doesnt relie heavily on samples and has a lot more rock and indie influences. The best tracks however are the ones with large electronic elements.
Favourite Tracks: Propane Nightmares, The Otherside & Granite
Worst Track:Showdown

35. Serj Tankian -- Elect The Dead
A Brilliant debut by the greatest songwriter in metal today. Very different from SOAD, in this album he really shows of his piano skills and vocal scale which makes it a unusual record. Very spiritual and political, it is where SOAD left off, just in a different style.
Favourite Tracks:Sky Is Over, Honking Antelope & Praise The Load And Pass The Ammunition
Worst Track: Baby

34. Jay-Z -- American Gangster
A return to Mafioso rap by Jay-Z and inspired by the film of the same name, this is an excellent incite into the city that JayZ grew up in, and the enviroment left behind like the gangsters described in the movie. There are some great guest spots on the album as well, Lil Wayne, Kanye West etc...
Favourite Tracks: Hello Brooklyn, Roc Boys & Blue Magic
Worst Track: Pray

33. Rage Against the Machine -- The Battle of Los Angeles
RATM's last studio album, and a good way to go off. More rock based than the others in my opinion, and focusing on political events of the late 90s, this album features some of Zacks best rapping, although the music can seem a bit the same-ish towards the end.
Favourite Tracks: Calm Like A Bomb, Mic Check & Maria
Worst Track: Ashes in the Fall

32. Kanye West -- Graduation
Features some great songs, and some average tracks. More than ever Kanye relies on sampling, such as the excellent Daft Punk backing in Stronger. Lyrically he has been better, but its better than 90% of Rap albums today.
Favourite Tracks: Good Morning, Stronger & Homecoming
Worst Track: I Wonder

31. Red Hot Chili Peppers -- Blood Sugar Sex Magik
Definately their masterpiece and greatest album. A Defining album in 90s music and Funk Metal, it has unbelievably brilliant bass riffs, funky guitar playing and Anthony's brilliant and complex singing. It switches from Funk Rock Epics to Sing along classics.
Favourite Tracks: Breaking The Girl, I Could Of Lied & Under The Bridge
Worst Track: Power Of Equality

30.Red Hot Chili Peppers -- Greatest Hits
RHCP again! The compilation of their mainstream hits, an impressive album which features mostly songs from BSSM and Californication. Unfortunatly it skips some of the hits from One Hot Minute and By The Way which is a shame. The new tracks are good and show a style that resembles something they used to play.
Favourite Tracks: Give It Away, By The Way & Save The Population
Worst Track: Universally Speaking

29. Nine Inch Nails -- With Teeth
A Brilliant album, no other word can describe it. Some of Trents most personal and harmonious songs, and Dave Grohls drumming is vicious. No instrumentals on this album which a shame, and no remixes either. Less electronic influence than in earlier releases.
Favourite Tracks:All The Love In The World, Only & Sunspots
Worst Track:Do You Know What You Are?

28. System of a Down -- Toxicity
Every decade an album captures the feeling of Los Angeles. In the noughties it was Toxicity, which also captured Americas self paranoia, and was ironically released the same time as 9/11. From the thought provoking tracks(Prison Song, X) to the down right mad(Bounce) the album is monumental.
Favourite Tracks:Prison Song, X & Shimmy
Worst Track: Jet Pilot

27. Dave Navarro -- Trust No One
A very different direction by the former Jane;s Addiction guitarist. The album, featuring a number of acoustic tracks, deals with the murder of his mother, his failed marriage and drug addiction. Withdrawal is the main topic throughout and his style is heavily influenced by Velvet Underground, including a cover Venus In Furs.
Favourite Tracks: Hungry, Mourning Son & Avoiding The Angel
Worst Track: Not For Nothing

26. Nas -- Illmatic
The greatest Hip Hop album of all time, no joke. Made me fall in love with East Coast Rap. Such a magnificent debut, which he has never equalled unfortunatly. The lyrics and rhymes are some of the finest ever heard in the genre and the beats bring out so many emotions.
Favourite Tracks: NY state of mind, The World Is Yours & Halftime
Worst Track: Life's A Bitch

25. Kano -- Home Sweet Home
I had never heard any Kano before i bought this, i wasn't disappointed at all!.Not as good as Dizzee or Wiley, but he still has a lot of talent and tells it how it is. Sampling tracks such as War Pigs and rapping over them takes guts and he pulls it off. Some tracks falter, but its an experience.
Favourite Tracks: P+Qs, Reload It & Signs In Life
Worst Track: Nobody Dont Dance No More.

24. Nine Inch Nails -- The Fragile
An experimental and conceptual double album, like most of NIN other work, its bleak. But thats not a bad thing. Some songs scream awesomeness such as Starfuckers Inc. Most songs start off slow but explode into madness.
Favourite Tracks:Somewhat Damaged,Pilgrimage and Starfuckers Inc
Worst Track: La Mer

Programme XXXII: Le Hip-Hop Noir II
Style: gangsta rap
Date: August 21st, 2008

The second part of "Dark Hip-Hop" consists of less ominous tracks, but still got some stuff in the vein of the first one. I suppose, there will be no other sets as such, since it's getting more difficult to find the tracks that fit the needed atmosphere and style.

Playlist:
01. DMX "Intro"
02. Dr. Dre "Big Ego's"
03. Snoop Dogg "Murder Was The Case"
04. Everlast "Deadly Assassins" (featuring B-Real)
05. Bounty Killer "Deadly Zone"
06. D12 "Fight Music"
07. Eminem "spent some time" (featuring Obie Trice, Stat Quo, 50 Cent)
08. Mobb Deep "Survival of the Fittest"
09. House of Pain "fed up"
10. Ice Cube "Fuck Dying" (featuring KoЯn)
11. Obie Trice & Eminem & 50 Cent "love me"
12. Xzibit "What U See Is What U Get"
13. god pt. III "we will survive"
14. Down Low "H.I.V."
15. MC Solaar "Solaar Pleure"
16. Fonky Family "Cherche Pas a Comprendre"
17. Tic Tac Toe "Warum"
18. OutKast "Ms. Jackson"

hey!

KEXP (90.3fm seattle / www.kexp.org) held a volunteer appreciation party and mixtape swap earlier this week! sadly, i couldn't attend, but i threw together a couple mixes of some of my favorite new tunes for the occassion! here they are:

mix #1 (download)
01. Alias - Autumnal Ego
02. Kid Cudi - Man on the Moon (The Anthem)
03. Sonny J - Cabaret Short Circuit
04. Flying Lotus - GNG BNG
05. Lil' Wayne - Robo Tussin' (Flying Lotus Remix)
06. Champagne Champagne - Cover Girls
07. Dj Lobsterdust - Same Old Uniform (The Four Tops vs. Bloc Party)
08. Yppah - Chief Rocka in Kyoto (Lords of the Underground vs. Air)
09. Deerhunter - Nothing Ever Happened
10. Carl Craig Presents Zoos of Berlin - Looking For Water (David Bowie cover)
11. Poni Hoax - Antibodies
12. Au - RR vs. D
13. High Places - Head Spins (Extended Version)
14. Herman Düne - Your Name My Game
15. Sam Amidon - Fall On My Knees
16. Ólafur Arnalds - 3055
17. Nico Muhly - Skip Town
18. DJ Erb - Farewell / Closer (Shigeru Umebayashi vs. DJ Shadow & DJ Fresh)
19. J Dilla - Allright

mix #2 (download)
01. Koushik - Lying in the Sun
02. The Chap - Ethnic Instrument
03. Stereo Image - Exposure
04. Bajofondo - Grand Guignol
05. Head Like a Kite - Daydream Vacation (Boom Bip's Homecoming Remix)
06. Cut Copy - Hearts On Fire (Disco Pusher Remix)
07. MGMT - Electric Feel (James Rutledge Remix)
08. gameplay - Beirut Disco
09. Daedelus - Make It So
10. The Ragga Twins - Good Times
11. Tittsworth - WTF (f. Kid Sister & Pase Rock)
12. Top Billin' - Big Dancin'
13. Jay-Z - Jockin' Jay-Z
14. Circle Research - Nothing Can Save You
15. Friend - Secret
16. Treasure Fingers - Cross the Dancefloor
17. Osborne - Outta Sight
18. The Streets - The Escapist

so for those not in the know, i've gone from an intern at KEXP who makes mixes for friends in my spare time to a bonafide dj at KEXP! i've been getting a fair share of fill-in shifts over the past few months; but the most exciting moments were over the last month when i got to host both the weekly hip-hop show (street sounds) and the weekly electronic show (expansions). it was a blast!

here's what you missed :-)

street sounds - july 20t