"The making of a great compilation tape, like breaking up, is hard to do and takes ages longer than it might seem..."

As you can (hopefully) tell from the title, I've been watching High Fidelity. It involves girls and music, how did I not find it/start worshipping it earlier? In fact, I can pretty much see my life being like that in 10/15/20 years, should I make certain decisions. Hell, it's pretty much my life know...just minus the constant stream of women (more like being drip-fed one per year) and my very own record store (more like this blog and the rest of the internet).

Anyways what it relates to is the Spotify mix playlists that I have created for you lovely people...at least I'm hoping you're lovely...to just spread a bit of aural goodness around. No, I don't see myself as some sort of musical Maharishi, imparting pearls of great music to you, the unenlightened. Being honest, most of you reading this will probably know infinitely more about this than I ever will and should you open one of the playlists, laugh in scorn at my woefully "mainstream" choices. But who gives one? I just want to share stuff I think is freaking awesome with anyone who wants to listen, hopefully convert a friend or two into liking a band and kill a bit of boredom.

Playlist Numero Uno is full of more well known bands/tunes of this year, with the odd suprise. So expect "Bonkers", "Dog Days Are Over", "Run This Town" and "Zero", though not "Bulletproof" or "In For The Kill" by La Roux. Even I'm sick of them by now.

Enjoy!

Playlist Nummer Zwei is the best of the lesser-known, "weird indie shit" (as I'm certain some acquaintances would call it) to appear this year. So album tracks from slightly less mainstream bands, obscure groups you're not sure how to say the name of (hello, Dananananaykroyd!) and basically good stuff. I've gotta say though, listen to the Noah & The Whale album in one go, as it is, not shuffled. You'll thank me later.

Enjoy even more!

Hopefully you'll enoy them, go buy the various albums/singles, see the bands live and, y'know, be a proper music fan. Or, if you're disgraced by my tastes, feel free to send me a playlist back to "educate" me. It could be fun. And these playlists will over there in the sidebar should you ever feel like downloading in the future and can't be bothered to click a few times right this second.

Oh and if you don't have Spotify, I reccomend you get it. Now.

NEU! featuring Muse, The Chapman Family, The Pains Of Being Pure At Heart, The Hot Melts, Girls

Muse - Uprising
The first official release from "The Resistance" (after the bonkers "United States Of Eurasia") sees the Teignmouth trio in usual fine form, even if this does sound like a million different other songs. Hints of "Spirit In The Sky", "Shoot The Runner", "Personal Jesus" and even the Doctor Who theme tune all crop up, but seeing as Muse have never been the most serious of bands (Evidence? Here and here) it's pretty much acceptable. After all, what's rock & roll without a little bit of madness? "Uprising" isn't up there with previous Muse classics, and it's not even the best song on the new album but the simple catchiness and awesome-as-usual guitar work should make it a hit with both new and old fans.
7.5

Virgins

The Chapman Family - Virgins
First it was "Kids", now it's "Virgins". You'd be forgiven for being worried by The Chapman Family due to their song titles, but leaving that to one side, this new single is an altogether more radio-friendly affair than its predecessor (basically there aren't blasts of face-melting guitar every 5 seconds). That's not to say the Chapmans have gone all Jonas Brothers. "Virgins" is still a brooding slice of post-punk genius, with Joy Division-esque bass and the oddly anthemic edge we've come to expect from the Teesiders. For anyone anticipating their upcoming tour or a possible album, this will only serve to get you even more excited
8.5
The Pains Of Being Pure At Heart - Come Saturday
One of the bigger names of the shoegaze craze (both in popularity and actual length), TPOBPAH have the balance between pop tunes and feedback just right, something that a fair few bands in the scene cannot manage e.g. Times New Viking. That said, "Come Saturday" is a bit anonymous compared to the rest of The Pains' debut, despite a great intro which sounds like a twee Clash (sounds horrible, but it's pretty alright). I reccomend the rest of their self-titled album, but just skip this one.
6

The Hot Melts - Red Lips
Well this is something new; a Liverpool band who aren't directly influenced by The La's/Shack. The Hot Melts favour big rock tunes rather than jangly Merseybeat, and when combined with the typical Scouse pop nous, we get one of the freshest and best new bands around at the minute. Plus, should you lack enough funds to actually go out and buy their album, the band are giving it away for free. If The Hot Melts don't get big, then I'll eat my hat...after going and finding one first.
8

Girls - Lust For Life
Along with The Drums, Girls are the buzz band of the second half of '09. Both deal in bittersweet indie pop, but Girls seem that little bit more dangerous or typically "rock & roll". Once you get past the slightly odd, slightly androgynous vocals (which isn't too easy with lines like "I wish I had a boyfriend/I wish I had a loving man in my life") you'll find that this is one of the best pop songs of the decade...if a little scuzzed up. Whether Girls end up as an indie one-hit wonder or a classic underground band remains to be seen, but for now you can just stick this on repeat
9

It's hard not to love Muse sometimes...

Okay, Oasis and Nirvana have done it before, but Muse are better.

Mainly for my own benefit.....

...as I'll hopefully be going next year, but here's some possibilities for headliners and big acts playing Reading & Leeds 2009.

Kings Of Leon

• Firmly planted in the mainstream as the new, big stadium band
  
• Proven headliner credentials at Glasto last year
• "Only By The Night" is specifically aimed for a sea of drunken festival goers
  Playing?: 9/10 Headlining?: 9/10
  

Muse

• Festival veterans having headlined in 2006, and played two other times
• Currently working on fifth album out in the second half of 2009 or early 2010, so might need a break from the studio
  Playing?: 6/10 Headlining?: 8/10

Franz Ferdinand

• New album out early next year, their first in four years
• Also headlined in 2006 and also played two times before
  Playing?: 7/10 Headlining?: 8/10
  

Oasis

• New album
• Haven't played a festival in a while
• It's Oasis
• ...but might clash with their stadium tour
  Playing?: 6/10 Headlining?: 9/10?
  

Blur

• Recently reformed
• Huge fanbase
• Possible clash with a future tour or may be headlining Glastonbury?
  Playing?: 5/10 Headlining?: 9/10
  

Radiohead

• First British festival since the release of "In Rainbows"
• Haven't played the festival in over a decade
• Might headline Glasto instead
• May not play any shows next year
  Playing?: 4/10 Headlining?: 9/10
  

Arctic Monkeys

• It's Arctic Monkeys...
• Possible third album next year
• Haven't headlined Reading and Leeds yet
  Playing?: 7/10 Headlining?: 8/10
  

MGMT

• Apparently the biggest band of this year
• Popular live
• Good set at this years festival
  Playing?: 9/10 Headlining?: 6/10
  

The Cribs

• Festival regulars
• Possible new album; first with Johnny Marr
• Not big/popular enough to headline
  Playing?: 8/10 Headlining?: 5/10
  

Manic Street Preachers

• New album out; all lyrics written by Richey
• Headlined the NME stage last year
• Big enough back catlouge to headline
• May not be touring next year out of respect to Richey.
  Playing?: 6/10 Headlining?: 6/10

Foals

• Very popular
• Not big enough for the main stage?
• Not enough songs?
  Playing?: 8/10 Headlining?: 3/10

Glasvegas

• Big sound, perfect for festivals
• Britain's best-loved band, according to NME
• Either love them or hate them.
  Playing?: 8/10 Headlining?: 5/10
  

Kaiser Chiefs

• Popular
• Perfect festival band
• Haven't played since 2006
• New album not as good/popular as previous two
  Playing?: 7/10 Headlining?: 6/10
  

Morrissey

• New album out next year
• Becoming a regular on the festival circuit
• Has only played R&L once in 2004, but didn't headline
  Playing?: 6/10 Headlining?: 6/10
  

The Strokes

• First album in 3 years out next year possibly
• Popular choice for headliner
• Big enough back catalouge Playing?: 7/10 Headlining?: 6/10
  

Vampire Weekend

• Highly popular at festivals this summer
• Summery sound
• Possible new album?
• Not big enough to be main headliner?
  Playing?: 8/10 Headlining?: 6/10
  

The View

• Popular at festivals
• New album out early next year
• Have never played the main stage
  Playing?: 7/10 Headlining?: 6/10