a blog about a lot of things

I've been irregularly listening to Desert Island Discs since about 2008 (weirdly enough it's my grandfather that put me on to it. Guess he used to talk to the Brits about BBC Radio back in the day). I always thought it was a cool concept (format outlined below) and I was supposed to (try to) determine my picks. So here goes: Format: Guests are invited to imagine themselves  cast away  on a  desert island , and to choose eight pieces of music, originally gramophone records, to take with them; discussion of their choices permits a review of their life. Excerpts from their choices are played or, in the case of short pieces, the whole work. At the end of the programme they choose the one piece they regard most highly. They are then asked which book they would take with them; they are automatically given the  Complete Works of Shakespeare  and either the Bible or another appropriate religious or philosophical work. Guests also choose one  luxury , w...

I was thinking about going to see Coldplay live. And then, following from that, I was thinking of what songs I'd want to hear most (if I got to control the setlist). This is that list. -Usually on the Viva La Vida Tour they did around 25 songs. So that's the number I'm going with. In order of Album release, not order to be played in From Parachutes 1. Yellow 2. Shiver From A Rush of Blood to the Head 3. The Scientist 4. God Put a Smile Upon Your Face 5. Clocks 6.Warning Sign 7. A Rush of Blood to the Head From X&Y 8. What If 9.Fix You 10.A Message 11. The Hardest Part 12.Swallowed in the Sea From Viva La Vida 13. 42 14. Lost ! 15. Lovers in Japan 16. Viva La Vida 17. Violet Hill From Mylo Xyloto 18.Hurts Like Heaven 19. Charlie Brown 20. Paradise 21. Don't Let it Break Your Heart 22. Us Against The World Encore Set: 23. Wedding Bells ( Non-Album ) 24.Amsterdam ( from A Rush of Blood to the Head) 25. Glass of Water ( From Prospekt's March EP)

I don't really rate bands unless they're great in concert. So I'm making a list of who I want to see in concert. Only rules are they must be still together and still touring (have had a tour in the last five years or one upcoming). Unusually, this list is in order. I'm not giving too much justification. Just one live video of the band. 15. Adele http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c753SCmy614 14. Muse http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4ggNOb2oFn8 13. Arcade Fire http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TtbrY6QrgPw 12.Mumford and Sons http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nsjo15AgTaU 11. The Kooks http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Iffz77kial4 10. Andrea Bocelli http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tcrfvP11Hbo 9.The Cure http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XkeDzUVq1BM 8. John Mayer http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QJzGtzGydtQ 7.Eric Clapton http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MtLhPeLB9bA 6. Elton John http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1EtCrHBq7Ds 5. U2 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qWBKBkEJQRk 4. Snow Patrol http://www...

10. Rodrigo y Gabriela - Tamacun (2006) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l-qgum7hFXk&feature=related Why: Sometimes you hear music that makes you realize the limitless potential of musical ability. Because these two artists have no limits. They can make the acoustic guitar produce melodies which are unlike anything anyone else is producing. 9. Coldplay - A Rush of Blood to the Head (2002) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wb_7C1vMpRQ Why: Possibly the best title song of an album of all time. It's about revenge, arson, regret and despair. Or it could be an allegory for the state of the world. 'Start as you mean to go on'. 8. The Walkmen - The Rat (2004) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wDe_znFhP4c Why: Loud and super-fast. Lyrics that are half angry and half remorseful. A forceful hit of drums , bass and guitar played to a frenzy and dripping with raw emotion. 7. Keane - We Might As Well be Strangers (2004) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=82n2b4Mk8Zc Why: Starts off softly and ...

20. Radiohead - Idioteque (2000) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jX-fDKWGbRs Why: The entry into electronic beats. Unclear lyrics, possibly apocalyptic and dealing with war, climate change and technology uprising. Weird how it all falls together so perfectly. 19. The White Stripes - Seven Nation Army (2003) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=psbs_8kkWqg Why: Proof that you don't have to depart from simplicity to still have a good song. Same guitar riff through most of the song until the solo kicks in. But it's the (much-debated) drumming of Meg White that gives the song its impact. 18. Arcade Fire - Neighbourhood #1 (Tunnels) - 2004 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Iz-WDk7Tbsc&feature=related Why: A fantasy world where there are no parents and no adult problems in a town buried under the snow, with a tunnel connecting two people. The song builds slowly until all the instruments and voices enter into a sing-along which is both joyful and melancholy. 17. Outkast - B.O.B. (Bombs Ove...

30. Yeah Yeah Yeahs - Zero (2009) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P8m55NDHvPY Why: Usually synthpop is forgettable but every now and again an excellent track turns up. Karen O went from punk idol to glam superstar with this song. Put this on and you can feel the in tune with your adolescence again. 29. Coldplay - Fix You (2005) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SKrceZxL8r8 Why: Chris Martin thinks it's 'probably the most important we've written'. A sentimental rock ballad which delivers words of encouragement while having sympathy for the downtrodden. Add in the sing-along and it's completely song for the people. 28. Kanye West - Jesus Walks (2005) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MYF7H_fpc-g&ob=av3n Why: Criticize the media for not embracing songs about faith during a massive hit song about the same topic, extensively played by the said media. You can't make that up. Be positive with the lyrics, but have an awesome beat to make it popular- that's the lesson. ...

40. Outkast - Ms. Jackson (2000) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g0v5nd1bJXM Why: Custody battle? Not the topic you'd expect for a number one hip-hop track. But it wasn't your normal hip-hop track either, (it sampled Richard Wagner). Outkast continued to clear their own spot in the hip-hop game 39. Seal - Love's Divine (2003) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=anFLUNWndVg Why: The song is initially carried by piano and the haunting tones of Seal's voice. The percussion & synthesizers get involved halfway through to give serious energy. One that gives you goosebumps (or should anyway). 38. Coldplay - Yellow (2000) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0zpi-iSGFaY Why: The song that made Coldplay superstars. People take it to be a happy song, which itself is a testament to the ability of the band. Because it's about unrequited love but you still get brightness and hope from it. 37. Daft Punk - One More Time (2000) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bgtBlnOX6VA&ob=av2e Why: P...

As I'm already making decade lists, why not? It's music too, so somewhat related. Nothing's better than a good concert DVD, in my opinion. Watch some if you don't believe me. The performance and DVD release has to be from 2000 to count. 20. George Michael - Twenty Five -2006 - Various 19. Norah Jones - Live in New Orlean - 2003- New Orleans 18. Slayer - Still Reigning - 2004 -Augusta Civic Centre, Maine 17. Iron Maiden - Rock in Rio 2002 - Rock Rio Festival,Rio de Janeiro 16. Audioslave - Live in Cuba -2005 - Cuba 15. Foo Fighters - Live at Wembley Stadium - 2008 -Wembley Stadium, London 14. Yeah Yeah Yeahs - Tell Me What Rockers To Swallow -2004 - The Filmore, San Francisco 13. Arctic Monkeys - At the Apollo -2007 - Manchester Apollo, Manchester 12. Genesis - When in Rome - 2007 - Circo Massimo, Rome 11 Scorpions - Live at Wacken Open Air 2006 -2008 - Wacken Open Air, Wacken 10. The Police - Certifiable : Live in Buenos Aires - 2008 - River Plate Stadium, Buenos Aires...

50. Damian Marley - Welcome to Jamrock (2005) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9xSyPFnv9hY Why: Another one addressing the social issues facing Jamaica. Marley wants to unify Jamaica and wants those in charge to help. An overused topic? Not when the gap between third and first world remains so apparent. 49. Kate Nash - Nicest Thing (2007) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ruQ0O44CB38 Why: The song with the most truthful lyrics about unrequited love. Manages to personify hope, anger, annoyance , longing and sorrow in four minutes. 48. Franz Ferdinand - Take Me Out (2003) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BGdMLux4FvE Why: One of the most recognizable riffs of the decade; one you've probably sang along to. Simple sing-along lyrics help with the singing along style of this song. 47. Jimmy Eat World - The Middle (2002) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=37FUvocnSsE Why: The song that carried Jimmy Eat World to the mainstream. Lyrics that reflect going through troubled are about as emo as you get f...

60. Coldplay - Swallowed in the Sea (2005) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e9Isurija1s Why: Coldplay have the ability to sing ambiguous lyrics and everyone finds their own meaning to them. Possibly about lost love, although it isn't really clear why the love is lost. The haunting vocals of Chris Martin backed by first by string choir, guitar chords and then a musical crescendo make this song a journey in music. 59. Wilco -Impossible Germany (2007) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rPAbjNT7nQY Why: Finishes off with an rhythmic guitar solo for the last two minutes. The entire song is heavily guitar driven but with a folk and blues feel to it. Lyrics don't seem to have much to do with Germany but they mention Japan so it could be a WWII thing. 58. Kylie Minogue - Can't Get You Out of My Head(2001) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IFx3WX4DES0 Why: Those 'La-La-La' vocals are what make the whole song. There's a whole bunch of catchy hooks in here.But this song is good b...