The rest, as they say, is totally irrelevant.

My Top 50 Albums of the Decade

So.

Records.

I’ve spent an immense amount of time over the past few weeks mulling over this list, so much so the fuse blew on my Hi-Fi, what really spurned me on to complete this list was someone’s passing comment about a band I love – “They’re shite, everyone hates them”

Which in my humble opinion is all the wrong reasons to judge any form of music, rather than being faceless and following all the trends about who’s cool and who’s not, you should follow your own lead and express yourself by finding music on your own terms. Some say real music has died, it hasn’t it’s just there are too many clueless n00bs who don’t bother looking for it.

My opinions my come across as overly strong (or even completely stupid) to others but it’s something inside me that will never change. After all my years of making time and effort into this amazing art form, looking at this list makes me feel rewarded.

It’s not been easy but here is (in no order) my incredibly personal and undiluted top 50 albums from the past decade.

Comments plox, and please get writing your own!

Turf Wars – Daggermouth (2007)
Borders and Bounderies – Less Than Jake (2000)
Over the Counter Culture – The Ordinary Boys (2004)
The Fall of Math – 65daysofstatic (2004)
Relationship of Command – At the Drive-In (2000)
Rockin’ The Suburbs – Ben Folds (2001)
Angles – Dan Le Sac Vs. Scroobius Pip (2008)
Keasbey Nights – Streetlight Manifesto (2006)
Civil Disobedients – Capdown (2000)
Silent Alarm – Bloc Party (2005)
Give Up – The Postal Service (2003)
Famicon Connection – Sabrepulse (2005)
Melody A.M. – Röyksopp (2001)
New Found Glory – Sticks and Stones (2002)
Matisyahu – Youth (2006)
Gypsey Punks Underdog World Strike – Gogol Bordello (2005)
Discovery – Daft Punk (2001)
Billion Dollar Gravy – London Elektricity (2003)
How I Spent My Summer Vacation – Bouncing Souls (2001)
Your Favorite Weapon – Brand New (2001)
010 – The Mad Capsule Markets (2001)
All Killer No Filler – Sum 41 (2001)
Love, Ire & Song – Frank Turner (2008)
Since I Left You – The Avalanches (2000)
Your New Favourite Band – The Hives (2001)
Mutiny! – Set Your Goals (2006)
Pump Up the Valuum – NOFX (2000)
Geogaddi – Boards of Canada (2002)
The Vertigo of Bliss – Biffy Clyro (2003)
Transatlanticism – Death Cab For Cutie (2003)
I Get Wet – Andrew W.K. (2001)
Veneer – Jose Gonzalez (2003)
Our Live Album Is Better than Your Live Album – Reel Big Fish (2006)
Warning – Green Day (2000)
Cool to Be You – Descendents (2004)
A Jackknife to a Swan – The Mighty Mighty Bosstones (2002)
You’re a Woman, I’m a Machine – Death From Above 1979 (2004)
Swagger – Flogging Molly (2000)
Rise or Die Trying – Four Year Strong (2007)
Off Key Melodies – Rehasher (2004)
Sometimes – City & Colour (2005)
sixpeopleaway EP – sixpeopleaway (2007)
Sink or Swim – Gaslight Anthem (2007)
The Expendables – The Expendables (2007)
Bleed American – Jimmy Eat World (2001)
The Mark, Tom & Travis Show – Blink-182 (2000)
Streetcore – Joe Strummer & The Mescaleros (2003)
† – Justice (2007)
Sounding a Mosaic – Bedouin Soundclash (2004)
The Private Press – DJ Shadow (2002)

Spotify selection of these records: http://bit.ly/7mnCuz

Thou shalt not read NME, thou shalt think for yourselves.

In Friends We Trust.

Looking back over the past few months I’m now pondering over the cliché crisis that is to wrap up plans and projects, but for most this would be a day that they would like to forget but for me, it’s a milestone. Last year I was depressed, my head was fucked, days would pass by sleeping them away, waking up too late and at one point almost not waking up at all.

This second half of this year is now the white to black of the above mentioned.

Now I can give myself a huge pat on the back and a pep talk for next year, for someone who swore off returning to education a couple of years back, I most certainly am eating those words with a super sized drink of ”I told you so” and a side order of “damn I’m busy”.

If I could give a high five to everyone who helped me along with this ride so far, I would, but I’ll just say thank you.

No more anguish.
No more torture.
No more suffer.
Call for restructure.

On a side note what inspired really this post today was a record I’ve spinning a lot this year called ‘Turf Wars’ from a band called Daggermouth – a five piece pop-punk/melodic hardcore band from Canada. The band incorporates the best of both aforementioned music worlds in that they deliver great songs with an edge.

Turf Wars has it all: gang choruses, swear words, girl problems, and utterly frantic drumming. There is barely a chance to catch your breath, and my head is in constant motion the whole time I crack this on. Most songs, however, sound very similar, but when they are this fast and energetic, it’s easy to look past the generic tendencies of the album.

It would be futile to try and describe the intricacies of each song but the atmosphere created is intense, yet still laid back. What I mean is that the lyrical content is easily relatable, but the delivery is far from leisurely strolls in the park and the audio cancer that is Radio 1.

Something I didn’t know when I first head this record was that frontman Nick has a history of battling depression and anxiety, last year he checked himself into the hospital and soon after it became apparent that he needed to get home, and has been ever since.

The above mentioned facts and my love for all things punk rock may tint my specs as I cant but help feel an affinity with people who have been through things similar to me but when Nick screams, “I’ll never be the perfect son you always dreamt I’d be,” it’s impossible not to insert yourself in those lyrics, no matter who you are. For me this record is a perfect example of when you realise musical success doesn’t always have to be measured by pound signs, critical praises, or any other pish like that, but rather by sheer passion.

Click the cover for a cheeky download, you may have just found your new favourite band.

Or try this wee number: Too Late, No Friends

 

Also this is how I got on with my costume:

-Andy

 

The Road to Tusken

My original idea of making an Optimus Prime costume for Halloween proved too expensive and time consuming, so instead after a flash of inspiration I’ve decided to go for the humble Tusken Raider (AKA Sandpeople).

Here’s the head piece that I’ve started on:

Just found an old hat and stuffed it with paper then covered it cling film, after that I went art attack on it’s ass with paste and old newspaper.

If i’m feeling relatively well tomorrow I’ll add more to it!

Shabba!

85p Train Tickets VS Hiding in Toilets

Yesterday take 2.

Oh btw:

Autumn Arrives

Originally uploaded by superandy_07

Blinding Lights and Car Park Signs

Caffeine fuelled, stumbled daydreams
The current state of my mind.

Summer 2009 vs Bonus High Fives

Just a little video I threw together to document this summer…

Also here’s a video of me and my good friend Andrew cycling over Scotland!

more about "20,000 Lines Left To Go on Vimeo", posted with vodpod

The Science of Selling Yourself Short

Using only song names from ONE ARTIST, somehow answer these questions. Pass it on to 15 people you like and include me. You can’t use the band I used. Try not to repeat a song title. It’s a lot harder than you think!

Pick Your Artist:

Less Than Jake

Are you a male or female:

Happyman

Describe yourself:

Negative Sides of Optimistic Eyes

How do you feel:

The Brightest Bulb Has Burned Out

Describe where you currently live:

St. James Hotel

If you could go anywhere, where would you go?

Gainsville Rock City

Your favorite form of transportation:

Sugar in Your Gastank

Your best friend is:

Portrait of a Cigarette Smoker at 19

You and your best friends are:

Never Going Back to New Jersey

What’s the weather like:

Freeze Frame

Favorite time of day:

Last Hour of the Last Day of Work

If your life was a tv show, what would it be called:

Antidote For The Underdog

What is life to you:

My Very Own Flag

Your last relationship:

Let Her Go

Your fear:

Losing Streak

What is the best advice you have to give:

Don’t Fall Asleep On The Subway

Thought for the Day:

Sobriety is a Serious Business and Business isn’t So Good

How I would like to die:

Goodbye in Gasoline

My soul’s present condition:

Malt Liquor Tastes Better When You’ve Got Problems

My motto:

PS Shock The World

The faults you can bear:

Golden Age Of My Negative Ways

How would you describe your love life:

Bigger Picture

What are you going to post this as :

The Science of Selling Yourself Short

I want to see the Specials!

Soul Meets Body.

I’ve been thinking about how I myself, as a person, has changed, I used to care about what people would say about me. But now I’ve come to realize people can say the worst things about you, really dire stuff, try and peer deep into your soul and take everything and make it the opposite and then maintain that as the truth.

But they can’t effect your ability to:
Earn
To love
To be loved
To have a good fucking day

Everyday we wake up to this world, we open it up and take in all this information relevant to us, everyone can get fucking lost in it. Following our little mouse trails.

I’ve spoke to countless people about things that other have said about me, that have upset me, and the same response I get is not “aw that’s shame” they’re like, “so?” Maybe I need to think that I’ve already won, after everything that’s happened to me, with the help from others, I’m still standing here with a cheeky smile on my face.

You hit that point where you’re fed up with all the bullshit and you’re like
I’d rather be getting stoned
Playing football
Dancing at the martell
Playing halo 3
Taking the dog for a walk
Have a cup of tea with big Linda!

I get it.

I know some people don’t like me, but so much of your life passes by when you try to sort these ties, now I’m like ‘delete’

Why bother? Life’s too fucking short :)

You wouldn’t let someone into your house who continually shat on your floor, eventually you get to the stage where you GET THE FUCK OUT OF HERE, that’s the place where I’ve gotten to, people are going to make their own assumptions of me, bad assumptions, all I can do is know who I am and know what my motivations are.

You must leave now, take what you need, you think will last.
But whatever you wish to keep, you better grab it fast.
Yonder stands your orphan with his gun,
Crying like a fire in the sun.
Look out the saints are comin’ through
And it’s all over now, Baby Blue.