best albums of 2007

well, well, well...

this year i've been very bad at keeping this blog up...but, this post has been on my mind for a few weeks now.

humbly, i present my pics for the best albums of 2007.

1. tegan & sara :: the con

it seems that the last time i actually made a post...it was about this album. produced by chris walla (death cab for cutie - who do NOT blow me away), the con is without a doubt t&s' best album to date.

2. arcade fire :: neon bible

a stellar album from front to back...the album's greatness was only enhanced by their live show. this album would have landed somehwere on my list if it was 10 tracks of crap and "keep the car running"

3. amy winehouse :: back to black
ok, i might be cheating juuuuuuuuust a tad with this one. back to black was released dec 12, 2006 (technically making it ineligible for my 2007 list)...but, when an album is this good - you just can't ignore it. produced by mark ronson (you'll see his album version a little further down on my list), winehouse's sophomore CD succeeded where her debut failed. frank was all "lite jazz" and just didn't ring true...but, back to black was nouveau-motown in all the best ways. and to prove that point - my favourite track on the album "tears dry on their own" was co-written by motown scribes ashford & simpson....that's right fuckers! she may be high on my deadpool for 08 (with ms spears for company), this album will always be her magnum opus.




4. peter bjorn & john :: writer’s block

i fucking loved "young folks" from the first whistle. and the rest of the album did not disappoint. i missed them at SXSW and i'm still kicking myself over it.

5. once :: motion picture soundtrack

ok, so recently i had to fly to montreal for business for the day. i watch 30 mins of ONCE on the way there...and, the next 30 mins on the way back...and, for the next week or so i was like a crack-addict trying to find her next fix to get my hands on the DVD to see how it ended (DVD doesn't come out until Dec 18). i haven't seen a movie in a long time that captured my attention so instantly - and, in so subtle a way. the music is just so perfectly suited to the mood and tone of the film - it's almost essential to the movie. glan hansard (the frames) and marketa irglova are perfect. you MUST see this movie...and, you MUST listen to this soundtrack. (also investigate the swell season!!)

:: video :: once movie trailer

6. hard-fi :: how the west was won

stars of cctv made it onto my best of 2006 list...so, i was excited with the new album came out. i'll admit, i didn't fall it love with it at first...but, it's a grower...gets better with repeated spins.
:: video :: suburban knights

7. feist :: the reminder
like hard-fi, this one didn't have me at hello. i was almost disappointed when i first listened to it. but, i'm glad to say that it grew on me like a fungus.
:: video :: my moon, my man

8. dragonette :: galore
i pretty much pooh-poohed this band before giving it a single listen. martina sobara (lilith fair "rock") on vocals? no thanks...but, then they played our annual conference and blew me AWAY! holy shit they were awesome. a sell sheet described them as gwen stefani fronting duran duran...pretty accurate.
:: video :: i get around

9. matthew good :: hospital music

i think i've rattled on about my matthew good obsession before (remember that year i listened to beautiful midnight at least once a day...every day?). so, i don't think there's any surprise that hospital music would make it onto my list. as always, matt's music is filled with emotion that (at times) can make me cry. filled with stories about a particularly difficult time in MG's life (divorce, mental illness) hospital music is intensely personal and i'm so happy to say i'm a fan still...after all these years.

:: video :: born losers

10. arctic monkeys :: favourite worst nightmare
wow...like a lot of other things on my list...the last monkeys CD made it onto my 06 list. this one is a bit lower on the list because it's not as stellar from begining to end as their debut...but, has standout tracks that make it a must-have.
:: video :: brianstorm


the best of the rest.....
11. rilo kiley :: under the black light
12. mark ronson :: version
13. fall out boy :: infinity on high
14. travis :: the boy with no name
15. white stripes :: icky thump
16. fiction plane :: left side of the brain
17. maximo park :: our earthly pleasures
18. kanye west :: graduation
19. kate nash :: made of bricks
20. m.i.a :: kala

:: linky :: best of 2006

tegan + sara: the con

apologies all around....i've been very lax in my updating.
but, lets put that all behind us, shall we?
i have exciting news!

there is a new tegan & sara album in the pipe...THE CON is coming atcha like a northern bullet on july 24th via maple music.

though you can say i'm biased because i love the t&s...this album is AWESOME!
from front to back...track after track...it's solid - just the way i like it!

:: video :: the con

:: cd :: pre-order THE CON from HMV.ca

:: web :: teganandsara.com

podcast 11 :: mark ronson

i've been neglecting my podcasting duties lately. well, to be honest, i've been neglecting my blogging duties as well...

what can i say? work's been a bitch...but, there seems to be a light at the end of the tunnel.

MARK RONSON...

this episode of my podcast series is a little feature of up-and-coming dj/producer mark ronson.

he's worked/produced tracks for the likes of: lily allen, amy winehouse, robbie williams, christina aguilera....and, more.

he's about to release his second album, version, and, this is why i've decided to highlight mron.

EPISODE 11 :: TRACKLISTING

1. Ooh Wee :: Mark Ronson feat. Ghostface Killah

2. Oh My God :: Lily Allen (Kaiser Chiefs Cover)

3. Valerie :: Amy Winehouse (Zutons Cover)

4. Toxic :: Mark Ronson feat. Ol' Dirty Bastard and Tiggers (Britney Spears Cover)

5. Good Doctor :: Robbie Williams

6. Apply Some Pressure :: Mark Ronson feat. Paul Smith of Maximo Park

7. Just :: Mark Ronson feat. Alex Greenwald (Radiohead Cover)

8. Stop Me :: Mark Ronson feat. Daniel Merriwether (Smiths Cover)

if you're new the podcast game -here's how you can access it

LISTEN ONLINE:

- go to: http://wonderbug.podomatic.com/entry/2007-04-13T18_37_29-07_00
- click "play"

DOWNLOAD TO iTUNES:

- open iTunes
- go to "Advanced"
- click on "Subscribe to Podcast"
- copy and paste this link in the window that opens: itpc://wonderbug.podOmatic.com/rss2.xml
(note: you'll never have to do this again. new podcasts will automatically download when they are available).



enjoy!

sxsw 07 roundup :: part one :: the day stuff

so, i'm back from my first visit to the "music capital of the world" austin, tx - sxsw...that was an experience. i've seen a lot of shows in my day...but, never 13 bands in one day (like i did last thursday). so, here we go...here is my run-down of what i did...what i saw...what i heard and what i recommend.

thursday march 15 2007

:: the pipettes ::

we went to the fader/levis party but, didn't realize that we needed to be on the list (people rsvp'ed in advance). when we got to the front of the line where the guy asks for your name and checks against his MASSIVE list...i just asked "is there ANY way we can get in?" the dude looked at my badge (sap says to look at my company) and then said "ok - sure". we got our wristbands (good for the shows happening all week!) and went in. the party was sponsored by southern comfort and there were FREE DRINKS FOR EVERYONE!
i've never been a drinker. but, sap and i decided to try. the signs were advertising socal and lime...so, we asked the girl for that. she said "you should try the punches instead". we did..they were good!
then we go up to the front of the stage. the pipettes were on next.
they were just as awesome as i thought they'd be. they were cute and sassy in their matching black/white polka-dot outfits.

:: web :: www.thepipettes.co.uk

:: mp3 :: your kisses are wasted on me

wonderbug rating :: 8/10

:: lily allen ::

right after the pipettes left the stage we blew that pop stand and headed over to waterloo records. there was a line - but, the guy working the door said that sparklehorse was still playing and that people would leave and that we'd be able to get in. we did. the place was PACKED! saw a couple people we know - but, left them to weasle our way to the other side of the store. found a little nook behind an info booth counter (when a staff member came up to use the computer - he surprised us by NOT kicking us out).
like the other lily show i saw. she didn't play very long and did not bring her full band.
but, what we saw - we liked. she did that kooks cover i love and threw in blondie's "heart of glass" for good measure.

:: web :: www.lilyallenmusic.com

:: mp3 :: naive (kooks cover)

wonderbug rating :: 7.5/10

:: pete & the pirates ::

right after lily - we hoped back into a cab and headed BACK to the fader party. we wanted to see the fratellis.when we got there a cool band was playing. we had to look them up to see who they were. they were pete & the pirates. cool brit-poppy.
stoopid NOW gave them a "miss" and called them generic...evs! i liked them.

:: web :: www.peteandthepirates.co.uk

wonderbug rating :: 7/10

:: bonde do role ::
holy fuck. when bonde do role hit play on their entrance music i was captivated. not only did they use samples from "wild thing," "man in the box" and "i believe in a thing called love" but they rapped HARD over the beats in full on portugese (they are from brazil). listen to them....please.

:: web :: www.myspace.com/bondedorole

:: mp3 :: dança da ventoinha

wonderbug rating :: 8.5/10

:: the fratellis (acoustic) ::

they played an acoustic set. and quite frankly after the high i was on after bonde do role - i considered it a let down. but, don't worry.
this was not to be the last encouter with the fratellis this trip...more to come.

:: web :: www.thefratellis.com

wonderbug rating :: 6/10

end of the day stuff...to be continued...

westside

what you are about to read is a creative writing assignment i had in university.
it is about my younger brother al, who has always been a pain in my ass.

enjoy!

Mississauga, ON – 1993

“The Wu-Tang Clan iz runnin’ dis shit” scrawls across my computer screen. I turn the monitor off, shake my head and yell “Al, did you change the screensaver?” I don’t really need to ask.

“Huh? What, Tosh?” My younger brother bounds down the stairs to where I sit in the basement. He smiles slyly.

He looks at me as I sit in front of the blank computer screen, and screams “Awwwwww, Yeah!!” Wu-Tang Clan is running dis shit!!”

“Yeah, I know what it says. I read it. I’m changing it back to the John Cusack one.”

“Tosh-man, that shizit is so boring.” Then his voice rings out with a triumphant “Wu-Tang CLAN, bee-atch!” He uses “Bee-atch” as his punk-kid version of bitch.

“What did you call me?”

“Nothing, Tosha.” He uses an obnoxious cartoon voice, but that sly grin is still there.

My middle brother, Al is seventeen, with dark brown hair, curly hair. He wears round metal framed glasses, and even though he is four years younger, he stands a full head over me. He refuses to shave the pathetic clump of hair under his chin, that only he calls a beard. His wardrobe consists of extra large GAP khaki pants, or extra wide-leg blue jeans and t-shirts with logos of either his favourite hard rock band or sporting companies. Because it is night, he now wears an old t-shirt and shorts with holes in them.

All my brothers call me Tosh or Tosha, while everyone else uses Natasha, Tash or Tasha. I have just learned to live with it.

I turn the computer screen back on so I can shut the computer down. Al constantly changes the settings on me. He changes the sound you hear booting up, shutting down, the look of the background in Windows and, like now, the screensaver. Once he even downloaded a music sample from the Cypress Hill home page. Anytime you clicked on anything in Windows, you heard an annoying bass line “duh - dum, dum, dum.” After about five minutes I was ready to rip the speakers out.

Today, when I start the shut down, I am met with the vocals of Jonathan Davis, the lead singer of the metal band Korn, who yells “ARE YOU READY??” at me.

“Awww, YEAH!!” Al shouts from in front of the TV. He stands, puts his hands on his hips and starts a strange, hip-grinding victory dance.

When he’s done, his sits back down and presses play on the VCR. Another metal band, this time Deftones, pop onto the screen. “I get BORED!!”

I turn to him. “Al, I’ve figured it out. You only like bands that need to yell to get their point across.”

“Damn right, nigga.”

“Cut it out with that word.”

“What? Nigga?”

“Yes.”

“Why?” We’ve had this conversation before. I know I am being set up.

“Because it’s derogatory. It’s been used as an insult for more than a hundred years.”

“Can a black man call another black man an Nigger?” he answers without a pause.

I know what he is doing. He forces me to answer “I guess so, yes.”

“Well, then nigga…I can say it all I want. I’m black! NEGRO!!”

I shake my head and sigh. Our father is from Argentina, our mother is from Trinidad.

“Al, you’re about one-eighth black. Grandad was the only one.”

“That don’t mean shit. I’m a nigga. And you can’t tell me what to do, bee-atch!”

“Really?” Now, I smile that same sly smile. “Tell me again…How much money do you want to borrow Friday night?”

“Uh? I mean…Sorry Tosha” he says in a meek voice.

I get up and relocate myself to the other end of the couch Al sits on, and steal the converter. “No more Deftones shit.” I press stop, and turn the channel to MuchMusic.

He punches me in the arm - hard. “Give it back! I had it first!”

“I was down here first.” I block a blow aimed at my head. “Keep your big meaty hands off of me!” I yell.

We wrestle for about five minutes, then he climbs on top of me, sits on my chest, and yells in my face “How you like DAT, bee-atch??!! West-siiiiiiiddddeeee!!” When pleased, he uses this barbaric insane, annoying call.

Now I am done for. I can’t breathe. I kick, wiggle and struggle but, it’s no use - he won’t budge. I stoop to the last and only line of defence left open to me. I bite him.

“Ow!” He rubs his arm, pinches me and moves off of me, pulling the elastic from my pony-tail with him. “Westside, Negro!!”

The soothing sounds of the Backstreet Boys emanate from the TV. Al joins in at the chorus and dances in his seat. “Quit playin’ games with my heart…with my heart…” His voice hasn’t completely changed and cracks often.

“How can you like Korn and the Backstreet Boys?”

“How ca you like all that shizit you like? Oasis sucks. Besides, I don’t like these fag-boys. I’m making fun of you. I’m mocking your dumb-ass!”

“Yeah, right.”

“Shut up! I am.”

“Okay, whatever.”

“I’m gonna kick your ass!” He starts toward me.

“Sit your ass down, little boy. I wanna hear this.”

We both quiet down and enjoy the last few seconds of the song.

“Press play.” he says, calmly.

Does he think I’m stupid? I know Deftones is still in the VCR. “No.”

“C’mon, just press play.”

“No.”

“Press play!!” he screeches.

“No.”

“Just do it!” He’s yelling now.

“No.” I continue to flip the channels, unfazed.

“I’ll remember this!”

I decide to quote a line from one of his favourite movies. “Write it down. Take a picture, I don’t give a fuck!”

He recognizes Smokey’s line from Friday and pipes up with “Smoke-dawg!! Awrgh! Awrgh! Awrgh!” The barking makes me smile. “Whatchu laughin’ at, bee-atch? You wanna pieces of me?” He puffs out his chest like a peacock and looms toward me with a “Classic Al” stone face.

I put my hand in the middle of his chest to keep him away.

“Sit down, boy. And, If you call me bitch again…” I leave the threat hanging open.

“You’ll what? BEE-ATCH!!” I change the positioning of my hand to pinch him.

“Ow!” He pushes my hand away. As he rubs his chest he changes tones and says “Yo, Tosh. That bee-atch, Miss Katz fucked me over again. She won’t have a Drama OAC class next year. What the hell am I supposed to do now? I was gonna use it as one of my top six. You know why she’s doin’ it right?” He pauses. I know what’s coming. “Cuz she’s a woman. She should be in the kitchen making dinner for her man, or cleaning something. We never should have given you guys the right to vote.” He’s hated all female teachers since one of them said “You should be more like your sister.”

“Yeah, boy! Westside!” and then chants “This is my house. MA HOUSE!” He taps the wall with the tip of his fingers. “See this? Ma house!”

I don’t want to start another fight, so I just roll my eyes and turn my attention back to the TV.

“Yo, Tosh, do you work tonight?”

“No.”

“Do I?”

He seems to have this fantasy that I will get him a job at the record store I work at…even though he’s a high-school kid with a bad attitude and no experience. “We’re not hiring right now, Al.”

“Get me a job!” he yells.

The phone rings. He turns to me and asks “What voice?”

“Irish.” is my answer.

He picks up the phone and says “Good day, there laddie. You’ve reached the McTavish residence…”

I stop him.

“McTavish is a Scottish name, you jack-ass!”

He says “Shut it” to me and “Hey Mary” into the receiver. “Hang this up when I get upstairs…and, don’t talk to her!”

Before he leaves the room I pick up the phone and chit-chat with his friend.

“Hi Mary…How are you?”

“Stop it! C’mon!” Al whispers to me.

I stop. We stare at each other. Silence. He leans toward me…sniffs around my head like a dog and says in that little cartoon voice “Tosha stinks” waving his hand underneath his nose. He gives a little weasel laugh “he he he” and like a big stupid elf, runs up the stairs, the old tube socks he’s wearing almost falling off his feet.

Once I hear the “Okay, I got it!” I hang up the phone.

I pick up the converter and flip the channels, again. I hear footsteps coming down the stairs. I see Martin, my youngest brother.

With a cup of ice cream in his hand, he stops in front of the TV, takes out Al’s Deftones tape and puts in one of his own. I don’t have to ask. I know its Silverchair.

He turns to me and says, “Yo, Tosh…press play.”

brit awards :: the fallout (no pun intended)

the awards were held in london last week.
let's take a look at how DREADFUL my picks were....plus - i'll include my original comments...there are some telling comments in there.

British Male Solo Artist
· James Morrison WINNER
· Jarvis Cocker
· Lemar
· Paolo Nutini
· Thom Yorke
::wonderbug pick to win:: thom yorke >> not because i like him, but because everyone and their brother pees their pants over his insufferable whining.

British Female Solo Artist
· Amy Winehouse WINNER
· Corinne Bailey Rae
· Jamelia
· Lily Allen
· Nerina Pallot
::wonderbug pick to win:: lily allen >> it would be cool if amy winehouse won (i highly recommend her new cd, back to black)....but, this was lily's year.
:: wonderbug after the fact comment :: why didn't i just stick with amy????

British Group
· Arctic Monkeys WINNER
· Kasabian
· Muse
· Razorlight
· Snow Patrol
::wonderbug pick to win:: snow patrol >> i really enjoyed the new razorlight (much more than the first cd) and my love of the monkey's is widely known...but, overall i need to give props to snow patrol. ONE. FINE. CD!
:: wonderbug after the fact comment :: oh geez...why do i say i like someone to win...and, then not pick them?

MasterCard British Album
· Amy Winehouse Back to Black
· Arctic Monkeys Whatever people say I am, that’s what I’m not WINNER
· Lily Allen Alright, Still
· Muse Black Holes & Revelations
· Snow Patrol Eyes Open
::wonderbug pick to win:: snow patrol >> see above
:: wonderbug after the fact comment :: it was a really good album....grrr

British Single
(Winner chosen by UK Commercial Radio listeners)
· Corinne Bailey Rae "Put your records on"
· The Feeling "Fill my little world"
· James Morrison "You give me something"
· Kooks "She moves in her own way"
· Leona Lewis "A moment like this"
· Lily Allen "Smile"
· Razorlight "America"
· Sandi Thom "I wish I was a punk rocker"
· Snow Patrol "Chasing cars"
· Take That "Patience" WINNER
· Will Young "All time love"
::wonderbug pick to win:: leona lewis >> wow...so many good songs to choose from (much better than the grammy noms in my opinion), but i pick the X-Factor Winner Leona Lewis as the winner (even if her first single was a Kelly Clarkson single 4 years ago....)
:: wonderbug after the fact comment :: i'm actually glad TT won...good for them! ps -i sat on gary barlow's lap once - and stole his cocktail glass...i still have it....true story

British Breakthrough Act
(Winner chosen by Radio 1 listeners)
· Corinne Bailey Rae
· Fratellis WINNER
· James Morrison
· Kooks
· Lily Allen
::wonderbug pick to win:: lily allen >> the fratellis album is SO good...and, the kooks are friggin wicked (one of my fav albums of 2006!) but, i'm still giving this one to lily. i think the night belongs to her and snow patrol....and oasis.
:: wonderbug after the fact comment :: aren't you loving how i keep mentioning how good it would be if a particular artist won....AND THEN THEY END UP WINNING??

British Live Act
(Nominees chosen by a panel of experts in association with The Live Music Forum. Winner chosen by Radio 2 listeners)
· George Michael
· Guillemots
· Kasabian
· Muse WINNER
· Robbie Williams
::wonderbug pick to win:: robbie williams >> there are no other choices. he's got this one locked.
:: wonderbug after the fact comment :: whatever..this one was totally fixed. robbie entered rehab the DAY OF the brits...he should have won.

Outstanding Contribution to music
· Oasis
::wonderbug comment:: weeping from happiness.....
:: wonderbug after the fact comment :: stoopid CBC didn't show the entire performance OR acceptance speech. i had to read about it later. friggin ijits.



and, so...in closing...here's to hoping i clean up at the oscars this sunday. that will be the only chance i have to win the office pool.

i'm a sucker for a catchy tune...don't hate

ok...i've never been open for my love of fall out boy. i've been fighting with myself.
i REALIZE that i am no longer a 14-year old girl swooning after the next cute boy in the band of the moment.
....but, i'm a sucker for a catchy song.

i love songs (regardless of genre) that i can sing along to.
there's nothing better than listening to the iPod on the way home from work and smiling and swaying back and forth to the music in your ear-buds while the guy behind you laughs at you (note: this actually happened to me last week. luckily, the guy was a guy i know from work - so, it wasn't so bad).

back to the point....

i haven't publicized by love of the boy (ie, fall out boy)...but, when i looked at my "most played" songs in iTunes and it showed that i've listened to "Sugar, We're Going Down" 63 times...i couldn't keep the farce going any longer.

then the new album leaked (street date: feb 6th). infinity on high, gawd - even the title is cheezy.

downloaded. listened. loved.

butch walker produced a few tracks - i love it.
babyface (yes, THAT babyface) produced a few tracks - they are actually my favourite on the entire album.

why can't i stop listening to this?
because it's so g'damn catchy!

i wouldn't be caught dead at a show though.
i'd want to punch the little girl in front of me, holding up that "I love Pete!" sign, in the face.

i say all this, but i know that i need not apologize for liking music for 2 reasons:
1. there is no such thing as a guilty pleasure. if you like it and 'they' don't...FUCK EM!
2. everyone knows my love of cheesy pop. it's pretty much what i grew up on on.

:: illegal download :: fall out boy - infinity on high

random things that made me laugh this week

1. Things My Boyfriend Says blog

my brother blogged (or as my other brother says "blurgged" b/c only nerds blog, ergo "blurg")recently about some stoopid shit betwixt he and his ex-luvah and linked to this site: www.thingsmyboyfriendsays.com

gawd damn....this was awesome.

this one made me laugh out loud at work:

Population: You.
While E was playing Civilization 4 I decided to go to the store. He asked if I would bring him back something, I said no, and he said:
"And I was just going to name this city I conquered after you. I guess I'll have to call it Bitchburg."

i think i feel your pain, lady...i think i feel your pain....

but, my boy says some really funny stuff too...sometimes he even types them out....

2. I saw into the future....

20 years from now, when i am grown, i will have 4 children. 3 boys and one little girl.
and, they will form the most awesome rock back in history.
lucky for me - the future is broadcast on YouTube....

you are welcome. i know you are thanking me for bringing that awesomeness into you life.
side note: my boss said the little girl looked like the kid in "the grudge"...then i punched her in the mouth and told her not to talk about my future daughter like that.

:: linky :: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s_4aGXTHo7w

konichiwa, bitches.

brit award nominees - wonderbug picks

the nominations were announced today.
so, i'll take this opportunity to throw down the gauntlet and state my picks.
good news for those who choose to pick it up - i'm usually wrong.
but, at least i keep trying.

British Male Solo Artist
· James Morrison
· Jarvis Cocker
· Lemar
· Paolo Nutini
· Thom Yorke
::wonderbug pick to win:: thom yorke >> not because i like him, but because everyone and their brother pees their pants over his insufferable whining.

British Female Solo Artist
· Amy Winehouse
· Corinne Bailey Rae
· Jamelia
· Lily Allen
· Nerina Pallot
::wonderbug pick to win:: lily allen >> it would be cool if amy winehouse won (i highly recommend her new cd, back to black)....but, this was lily's year.

British Group
· Arctic Monkeys
· Kasabian
· Muse
· Razorlight
· Snow Patrol
::wonderbug pick to win:: snow patrol >> i really enjoyed the new razorlight (much more than the first cd) and my love of the monkey's is widely known...but, overall i need to give props to snow patrol. ONE. FINE. CD!

MasterCard British Album
· Amy Winehouse Back to Black
· Arctic Monkeys Whatever people say I am, that’s what I’m not
· Lily Allen Alright, Still
· Muse Black Holes & Revelations
· Snow Patrol Eyes Open
::wonderbug pick to win:: snow patrol >> see above

British Single
(Winner chosen by UK Commercial Radio listeners)
· Corinne Bailey Rae "Put your records on"
· The Feeling "Fill my little world"
· James Morrison "You give me something"
· Kooks "She moves in her own way"
· Leona Lewis "A moment like this"
· Lily Allen "Smile"
· Razorlight "America"
· Sandi Thom "I wish I was a punk rocker"
· Snow Patrol "Chasing cars"
· Take That "Patience"
· Will Young "All time love"
::wonderbug pick to win:: leona lewis >> wow...so many good songs to choose from (much better than the grammy noms in my opinion), but i pick the X-Factor Winner Leona Lewis as the winner (even if her first single was a Kelly Clarkson single 4 years ago....)

British Breakthrough Act
(Winner chosen by Radio 1 listeners)
· Corinne Bailey Rae
· Fratellis
· James Morrison
· Kooks
· Lily Allen
::wonderbug pick to win:: lily allen >> the fratellis album is SO good...and, the kooks are friggin wicked (one of my fav albums of 2006!) but, i'm still giving this one to lily. i think the night belongs to her and snow patrol....and oasis.

British Live Act
(Nominees chosen by a panel of experts in association with The Live Music Forum. Winner chosen by Radio 2 listeners)
· George Michael
· Guillemots
· Kasabian
· Muse
· Robbie Williams
::wonderbug pick to win:: robbie williams >> there are no other choices. he's got this one locked.

Outstanding Contribution to music
· Oasis
::wonderbug comment:: weeping from happiness.....

i'm not going to bother with the international categories...but, i have guesses for those, too.

we'll find out in early feb how wrong i am.

side note: a few of us at work have some bets on all the awards happening this season (SAG, Grammys, Golden Globes)....for the record, the 2 winners had 8 correct predictions for last night's Golden Globes...while i had 7....SO CLOSE!

:: website :: 2007 brit awards

snow daze

so, today was the first real 'snow day' in toronto.

i awoke to the sound of sleet banging down against my window.

it had just gotten cozy, too.

the boy had just come to bed and had wiggled my way into his nooks & crannies (creating multiple points of snuggly contact).

i didn't want to get up. it was so nice and warm under the covers.

but, i had to get up and get my lazy bones off to work.

i shouldn't have bothered.

there are 6 people in my dept.

2 of them had scheduled days off today.

2 got snowed in (my boss included).

i got to the office around 9.15 and annie showed up around 11am.

what a waste of time....there were a bunch of people at other companies that didn't show up for work today either.

so, it ended up being one of those annyoingly boring days where even if there was work to do - you couldn't really do it because no one else was around.

the good thing was that our plans got canceled for tonight.

the bad news is that they got rescheduled for thursday! yes - right during my name is earl and the office....thank geebus for PVR!

these are the thoughts i will leave you with...

in the past few days/weeks i have done the following things way too much:

- eat chocolate
- listen to butch walker CDs

- watch STELLA on DVD

- read michael showalter blogs

and, only one of those things will probably change anytime soon...

later.

things i'm looking forward to in 2007, pt 1

sxsw :: march 14-18, 2007 :: austin, tx

that's right, ladies and gentlemen.

i'm going this year.

sometimes i really love my job!

the full offical list of artists has not been announced, but there have been some tasty treats leaked in the last couple weeks.

most notable (and, exciting for moi) include:
- morrissey

- bloc party

- iggy & the stooges (unclear if mike watt will be playing with them)

- lily allen

- sloan (i know, i know...i could see them anytime i want in t.o...but, i'll still see them in TX if i can..have to support my boys!)

- girl talk

- rjd2

- interpol

- badly drawn boy

- youth group

- the watson twins (sans jenny lewis)

- stax records, 50th anniversary soul revue

the line-ups and dates/venues/times are still to be announced...so, we'll see what i actually get to go to and what will conflict.don't fret - i'll bring my camera (i'm sure that is VERY un-cool at sxsw..but, i'll geek-out for a good cause)

:: web :: sxsw.com

:: web :: donewaiting.com/sxsw