Description:
If you asked people who claim to know about music, and who get all sniffy about anything vaguely commercial, to pick a bunch of tracks from British bands to sum up this year and a bunch of tracks predicting who’ll be “in” next year, then what you’d have would be this compilation.
Which means?
In a coma for 12 months? No longer cool and knowledgeable about bands? Do you panic when conversation turns to musical pastures? Buy this CD and be hip again! Revel in the fact you can now re-engage with your friends in meaningful discussions and relax smug with the knowledge that you already know the names to drop next year.
Is it much cop?
Well, yeah. It’s been a good year for British music and this covers the bases pretty well.
How many good tracks?
Fifteen. Particular standouts: ‘The Red The White The Black The Blue’ by Hope Of The States is utterly magnificent, stirringly epic, ‘I Predict A Riot’ by Kaiser Chiefs has the chorus of (last) year and with recent developments, ‘Can’t Stand Me Now’ by The Libertines is twice as poignant and twice as heartbreaking as it was when it was released.
And the worst?
In the grand scheme of things, not that many. But ending with the old-skool, “comedy” rap stylings of Goldie Lookin’ Chain was a very bad idea. And the next person who claims they’re ironic or that I don’t “get them” will receive a free sense of humour implant courtesy of uk-fusion.com. It’s shit. Get over it. Apart from that, there aren’t too many other missteps: just The Zutons, who’s appeal has passed me by this year, ‘Freedom Fighters’ by The Music, which is a bit 80s hair-metal for me, and Dogs Die In Hot Cars who possibly have the worst band name ever.
Biggest disappointment?
That Goldie Lookin’ Chain has actually managed to sell some records. And that Hope Of The States didn’t.
Verdict?
Thumbs up. Kind of like an indie “I Love 2004” but with no Kate Thornton in sight.
(4/5)

Release Date: 17 January 2005

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