Pick of the charts (14/11/10) - Stephen King

Here it is folks, the selection from this weeks charts!

Take That - The Flood

McFly Featuring Taio Cruz - Shine a Light

Ellie Goulding - Your Song

The biggest surprise of the week seems to be that Take That's newest outing didn't go straight to number one. This will surely be a shock for them having just re introduced Robbie Williams.

Enjoy!

Pick of the charts (07/11/10) - Stephen King

A little bit of an apology to make as it seems I forget to enter a track from last week that I particularly enjoyed. That was the new James Blunt track. He is continuing to make songs that live inside your head and never leave! Other than that here we have a good selection of music for this week. Looking at it, to be honest it ain't that great, but I was dumb struck by Nadine's new song. It actually sounds like it should have been written as a stadium anthem for a 90's rock band. I digress, here are your pick of the chart tracks for this week:

Roll Deep featuring Alesha Dixon - Take Control

Jamiroquai - White Knuckle Ride

James Blunt - Stay The Night

Nadine - Insatiable

A reasonable week, and a new entry for Roll Deep, so I guess it isn't all bad. However, there is still some really awful stuff kicking about in that top 40. Anyhoo, listen and enjoy!

Pick of the charts (31/10/10) - Stephen King

Well at least I can say that this week is far better than last weeks entries. Bear in mind that these are my selections, so I have excluded this weeks number one; the new Cheryl Cole track. No a very good song, she is at the number one slot for popularity of herself not her music. I have also neglected to put in the new Peter Andre song, mostly because it is terrible...so here
are this weeks choices!

Rihanna - Only Girl (In The World)

Tim Berg - Seek Bromance

Devlin featuring Yasmin - Runaway

Eminem featuring Lil Wayne - No Love

The Eminem track is particularly brilliant; it samples a very popular song from the 90's!

Hope you enjoy what there is this week.

Pick of the charts (24/10/10) - Stephen King

Wow...what can be said about this weeks charts? I can tell you this; things are getting a lot of worse, really, really fast. Out of the eight new entries in the charts I can only deem one of them worthwhile listening to. So here is my "list" for this week.

Skepta featuring Preeya Kalidas - Cross My Heart

Seriously...we need to get something new and fresh. I have even excluded Nelly's new track, which I kind of wished was good. Sadly it isn't and he will continue on a steady decline.

Hope you enjoy what there is this week.

Spread the music - Kidnap Kings

In 2006 I discovered a band called "Dropping Daylight". Part "Hoobastank", part "The Fray" and part "Anberlin". An incredible mix of styles, and a sound that knocked me off my feet. I listened to their debut album "Brace Yourself" more times than I can remember, and this was at the same time as my favorite bands new album was released! I made time to listen to them, and as the months went by, I started to wonder where their new material was.

The year is now 2010, and only barely. There was still no new music from them, so I started to worry that they had broken up. I looked on the wiki page for the band and couldn't find anything about a split, but there was a short sentence at the bottom explaining everything.

"This band has changed their name to Kidnap Kings"

A great sense of relief washed over me, as I would have been quite upset if they had only ever produced a single album. It is exactly the same band line up, but they felt that their newer sound should have a new name. I thought that the name meant that they were the kings of kidnapping, but I was corrected rather quickly.

The kidnap in Kidnap Kings is a verb...as in "we kidnap kings"...not an adjective..as in "we are the kings of kidnapping...the Kidnap Kings"

At present the band only have one song on their page, and even more annoyingly than this they are still unsigned! I can't believe a band with such potential has not been picked up by someone yet. As far as I can see they have plans to release their debut album "Flashing Lights and Sounds" within this year. However, I can't see this happening, unless they go for pure digital distribution.

Regardless, this is a band worth listening to, and I would highly recommend getting a hold of their previous incarnation's material as well. That will tide you over until the release of their album.

I hope you enjoy their music like I do!

Article by Stephen King

Pick of the charts (17/10/10) - Stephen King

I'm a little late at putting this up this week, but I hope you will get the chance to listen to them all the same. An interesting week in the charts and Cee Lo Green is still in at number one with the song "Forget You". I very, very catchy track that will be extremely difficult to knock off the top spot. Anyway, here is my selection of great music for this week. Enjoy!

Michael Bublé - Hollywood

Michael Andrews featuring Gary Jules - Mad World

The Ting Tings - Hands

B.o.B featuring Rivers Cuomo - Magic

This week being made even stranger by the presence of "Mad World" - the 2003 Christmas number 1, and my personal favorite - in the top 40 once again. Hope you enjoy the new tracks and remember to leave a comment!

Pick of the charts (10/10/10) - Stephen King

I know the content isn't exactly flowing on the Audionaughts page at the moment, but I am doing a very lengthy feature for another site at the moment and it is taking time. However, I am determined to keep the chart music coming once a week. So here it is, my selection of the best this week!

Cee Lo Green - Forget You

Robbie Williams & Gary Barlow - Shame

Swedish House Mafia Vs Tinie Tempah - Miami 2 Ibiza

Kings of Leon - Radioactive

Magnetic Man featuring Katy B - Perfect Stranger

Plan B - The Recluse

A much better week for the charts this time! This is a good record keeping exercise for me, because I always forget what chart music I actually liked. Anyway, enjoy this weeks tunes, and remember to comment.

Spread the music - Remy Zero

Sometimes we find a band that make us smile with just a few lines of any of their songs, for me this band is Remy Zero. If the idea of Radiohead singing U2 songs is what you dream of then Remy Zero is the answer. Remy Zero consists of Cinjun Tate (Vocals, Guitar), Shelby Tate (Guitar, backing
vocals and keyboard), Jeffrey Cain (Guitar), Cedric LeMoyne (Bass) and Gregory Slay (Drums) who tragically died on January 1st 2010.

Originating from Alabama USA, Remy Zero got their first taste of the big time when Radiohead found their demo tape and invited them on to their US tour the bends. It was this experience that inspired their first ,self titled, album in 1996. This album didn't make a big impact on the music world even after all the attention from Radiohead ( plus it has my personal favourite song 'Twister'). So two years later they released Villa Elaine. In my opinion this is their finest album. Every song is a
masterpiece that hold your ears and mind hostage. Apparently I wasn't the only one from this school of thought, as songs from this album have been used on countless films and TV shows. Zack Braff is a big fan and used 'Fair' in his film Garden State. The bands third and final album to date is 'The Goldem Hum'. Released in 2001, 'The Golden Hum' is probably most famous for the song 'Save Me' which a 50 second version was used as the opening song for the popular show Smallville. Once again Remy Zero
found a way make another fantastic album without it becoming stale or repetitive. All the songs again are works of art in their own way but two that really stand out are 'Bitter' and 'Perfect Memory'.

However as most of the greats tend to do, they broke up. It happened after 'The Golden Hum' and each member went their own way, apart from Shelby and Cinjun Tate who created the band Spartan Fidelity. The band have decided to get back together for 4 live shows in honour of Gregory Slay. Details of these shows are at www.remyzero.squarespace.com. If you are ever feeling a little down and need a musical pick-me up then I urge you to give Remy Zero a chance to brighten your day.

Article by Sean Kiddie

Pick of the charts (03/10/10) - Stephen King

So here we are again. My pick of the charts for the new week. To be honest, I was not particularly impressed by too much in the top 40 this week. Not a lot of good material, but a couple of worthwhile tracks none-the-less.

Tinie Tempah featuring Eric Turner- Written In The Stars

Labrinth - Let The Sun Shine

The Wombats - Tokyo (Vampires & Wolves)

That's all of 'em! Hope you enjoy the best of the new chart music, and leave a comment!

Linkin Park - "A Thousand Suns"

I remember it well. The year was 2001, and my interest in music was heightening. A lot of bands had caught my attention; mostly metal music, which is still my go to genre to this day. Then one fateful day while skipping through the music channels, I heard a song that really hit a home run. That song was Linkin Park's first single, "One Step Closer". Ever since then I have eagerly awaited any new material that the band would produce. From the first album, "Hybrid Theory" there was hit song after hit song, and the album as a whole was a nu-metal masterpiece.

Linkin Park as a band are quite reserved on releasing new material, despite having a large amount of recycled material that became popular. "Reanimation" was an album full of remixes of the first albums tracks, "Meteora" brought a new mellow tone to the the band that wasn't as apparent in their debut effort. As time went on the band seemed to mellow out more and more, focusing on powerful sorts of ballads, and less on their metal roots. By the time "Minutes to Midnight" was released, my interest was at fever pitch! However, my excitement hit rock bottom upon hearing the album. What I was listening to was not what I expected, not what I wanted and generally mediocre. My interest in the band died out; that is until I saw that a new album was on its way.

"A Thousand Suns" is an album that could not be a farther departure from the original Linkin Park sound. On my first listen through of the album, I couldn't help but feel like I had been let down, yet again, by a band I had once gone out of my way to listen to. Every album was one step closer; forgive the pun, to losing my interest. This collection of songs was the final straw for me. I had given up on them.
It wasn't until having a few drinks with some friends that it hit me! I hate it when bands churn out the same old stuff on every album, too afraid to change anything for fear of losing their fan base. I like it when people try something new, something different and interesting. Why was I holding Linkin Park in a different light?

To be honest, I think it is a similar reason to my affinity for the original Korn & Limp Bizkit albums. They were raw, full of angst and a great release for pent up teenage emotion. I am no longer a teenager, and as a result I think that I should be looking at this from a different perspective.

On my second time through the album, I started to note that their were some very strong tracks. Songs like "When they come for me", "Blackout" and "Wretches & Kings" provide a nostalgia for their older material, but at the same time they give you something that is an altogether new experience. The album is broken up using small interludes throughout, and it all adds up to something that Linkin Park have never managed to do before: create an album, not just a collection of songs.

What Linkin Park have achieved is a triumph of music, an incite into the bands mentality and an experience that you will listen to again and again, with every time providing you with a better understanding of the band. If nothing else this album serves as a testament to how the band have matured, and have brought their sound with them on the trip.

If you are looking for something that reminds you of the Linkin Park of days gone by, you might find something here; I did. It was this sliver of what had been that allowed me to persist and hear this album for what it really was. Linkin Park have successfully moved through the barrier to a whole new genre and have kept me as a fan. It is a message, and one that is worth the purchase for the chance to listen.

What Should I do?
BUY IT!

Where to get it?
Play
Amazon

Pick of the charts (26/09/10) - Stephen King

Hey guys! It seems like we have hit a little bit of a slow patch, what with our entire review team still looking for full time employment. I am still determined to keep up my pick of the charts though, so here they are!

Bruno Mars - Just The Way You Are (Amazing)

Emma's Imagination - Focus

Enrique Iglesias featuring Nicole Scherzinger - Heartbeat

Mark Ronson & The Business Intl - The Bike Song

That's all of 'em! Hope you enjoy the best of the new chart music, and leave a comment!

Pick of the charts (19/09/10) - Stephen King

So, another week and another set of songs from the official top 40. A bit of a slower week due to my efforts not to put in the same songs every week. This ain't no easy task; mostly because there is a lot of crap in the charts. Anyway, I hope you enjoy the tracks I have for you this week, as specially, "Enter the Ninja". You had better prepare yourself for this song because it is; and I quote:

"All up in the interwebs!"

Give them a listen and why not tell us what you think. Leave a comment, spark some discussion, and remember these are my picks, not yours. So, why not tell us your favorite songs too?

Example - "Last Ones Standing"

Die Antwoord - "Enter the Ninja"

Missing Andy - "Sing for the Deaf"

Lone Wolf - "The Devil and I"

In 2007 Paul Marshall’s debut album “Vultures” was received with a delirious fanfare of critical acclaim. Compared to Nick Drake and Tim Buckley and snapped up by independent label Bella Union everything to be pointing to a successful career

Three (very quiet) years pass and Marshall emerges under the new guise of Lone wolf, and with a new name a new approach appears to be the name of the game. Gone is the very stripped back sound of just guitar and voice to be replaced with full band (consisting of members of the Grammatics and Napoleon iird).

“The Devil and I” is without a doubt a work of stunning vision and coherence. Dark ideas reign supreme over the dozen tracks the albums comprises of. With ominous titles such as “We Could Use Your Blood” and “Buried Beneath The Tiles” one could be excused for expecting a bumpy ride but underneath the Gothic almost Lovecraftian surface there is much beauty to be found. Beauty encased in melancholy. Beauty scarred, bruised and battered perhaps, but beauty all the same.

First Single “Keep your eyes on the Road” with the pounding driving bass combined with flowing guitar sweeps and mellifluous vocals is foot tappingly good. “We Could Use Your Blood” and “This Is War” being obvious choices for further singles.

I really don't think I could praise this effort any more.

What Should I do?
BUY IT!

Where to get it?
Play
Amazon

Pick of the charts (12/09/10) - Stephen King

Welcome to the first installment of what I hope will be a weekly feature. This is a selection of songs from this weeks top 40 that I think are worth a listen. You may find that the number of songs fluctuates from week to week, as it will be dependent on how many new songs catch my attention. I will not be putting any duplicates up, so there will always be new material for you to listen to! Some have been in the charts for a while others are just new, but all have one thing in common; they have caught my attention. I hope you enjoy them too.

Katy B – “Katy on a Mission”

Roll Deep – “Green Light”

Usher featuring Pitbull – “DJ Got Us Falling In Love Again”

Swedish House Mafia featuring Pharrell – “One (Your Name)”

Chase and Status featuring Mali – “Let You Go"

Magnet Man featuring Angela Hunte – “I Need Air”

Example – “Kickstarts"

The XX – “Islands”

Klaxons - "Surfing the Void"

Three years in the making for the second album from the Klaxons. Surfing the void is the result of this hard work. In march 2009 it was reported that the band were told to re-record some of the album after being advised it was too experimental for release. So they went back and produced new material, which made me worry this might sound too rushed.

One of the main reasons that I wanted to listen to this album was the involvement of metal producer Ross“godfather of Nu Metal” Robinson. Who has worked with Korn, Deftones, Limp Bizkit, Soulfly and Machine Head to name just a few.

The first song is 'Echoes', which is also the first single released, is actually very good. With a blend of electro rock and hypnotic vocals that keep you hooked. This mix of experimental electro and rock make this album fairly unique. Every song is well constructed and very well executed. The only fault I could find was the absence of any stand alone songs, the ones that first draw the attention to any album. I'm not saying that they are poor songs, quite the opposite. I found every song to be solid and catchy. Surfing the void is a good solid effort that is worth buying but with 2 or 3 great songs it could have been fantastic. Looking forward to album 3, so get working guys.

What Should I do?
BUY IT!

Where to get it?
Amazon
Play

Brandon Flowers - "Flamingo"

I can still remember the first time I sat down and listened to Hot Fuss. It was just one of those albums that stick with you, that you can listen to over and over. I imagine there are people all over the world who hate this style of music, but still can’t get Mr Brightside out of their heads. And so it was with this love of all things Killers that I sat down with Brandon Flowers latest offering.

Much in the style of Linkin Park frontman Chester Bennington’s off shoot project Dead by Sunrise,Flowers wrote this album while writing for The Killers, and pulled out tracks that he didn’t feel matched where the band were going at the time. With that in mind, the album still has a distinctly Killers feel (helped by Killers drummer Ronnie Vannucci playing on first single “Crossfire”, and “Playing with Fire”). Tracks like “Jilted Lovers & Broken Hearts” and “Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas” are catchy enough to keep you listening, while slower tracks like “Only The Young” are classic Killers ballads. There are a few oddball tracks in there too (I’m not entirely sure what “Swallow” is about, nor am I sure that I want to find out...)

All in all, Flamingo is a must buy for Killers fans. For everyone else, there’s enough to keep you amused until the next band album, even if it doesn’t reach the heights of “Hot Fuss” and “Sawdust”.

What Should I do?
BUY IT!

Where to get it?
Amazon
Play

Some of my favourite Collaborations - Stephen King

And here we are! The very first article to be written for Audionaughts is ready to go. I have; for your listening pleasure, brought together some of my favourite collaborations of all time. Understand, that these are just in my opinion, so feel free to tell me I'm wrong. Or in a better case, that I am right!


Chase and Status featuring Plan B – “End Credits”

Check the song out here!

I am not a big fan of Plan B, but there is something about this song that just has an amazing energy. The drums and synths come in strong and leave you feeling like you have just drunk a 24 pack of Red Bull!


Black Eyed Peas featuring Papa Roach – “Anxiety”

Check the song out here!

This song provides a very odd clash of styles from one of the Black Eyed Peas earlier albums. It makes for interesting listening, with vocals and guitars provided by Papa Roach, with the hip hop lyrics of the Peas.


Santana featuring Rob Thomas – “Smooth”

Check the song out here!

An absolute classic there is no doubt! This song was everywhere; on TV and every radio station, and yet I have never grown tired of it. The song plays like its title; just so damn smooth.


Korn featuring Ice Cube – “All in the Family”

Check the song out here!

At the birth of the Nu metal genre there was no stronger sound than Korn’s. Add a little Ice Cube into the mix and you get a whole new beast. A song for when it has just been one of those days...


Eminem featuring D12 – “When the Music Stops”

Check the song out here!

This song catches Eminem and D12 at their finest. They have had a few great songs in their time, but now after the death of Eminem’s long time friend and member of D12; Proof, the songs have stopped. I find this to be an ironically named track as it seemed to foretell a point in both of their careers. Full of angst and great lyrics, definitely worth a listen.


B.O.B featuring Hayley Williams – “Airplanes”

Check the song out here!

A recent chart hit for new comer B.O.B and the ever popular Hayley Williams of Paramore. An unusual pairing, but one that worked to some success. Relevant lyrics rested upon a bed of pretty piano, with a chorus that you will be singing until you die makes this track an instant classic.


Well, there is my selection. Hope you like them, and if you have any favourites of your own leave them on the comments!

Stone Sour - "Audio Secrecy"

Audio Secrecy is Stone Sour's third studio album to date and naturally I was excited to give it a listen. With the uncharacteristic slow and subdued instrumental opening track, I was intrigued. This then leads into the second track 'Mission Statement', which is more like a typical Stone Sour song. Unfortunately this seems to be the theme for the majority of the album. Just more of the usual with very few songs actually standing out.

The format for this album is very similar to Come What(ever) May. We have the heavy, repetitive guitars and drums with focus on the vocals of Corey Taylor. These are broken up in the album with the slower acoustic tracks, like 'Dying', 'Imperfect' and 'Anna'.

There were only two songs that I enjoyed, 'The Bitter End' and 'Nylon6/6'. Audio Secrecy seems to lack the sheer genius that was in Stone Sour and Come What(ever) May. I'm not saying that it is bad album just that it is a lackluster effort which will probably be for the die hard fans only. If it's a true Stone Sour experience you are after then stick to the first two albums (especially songs 'Inhale', 'Bother', '30/30-150' and 'Through Glass').

What Should I do?
For fans only...

Where to get it?
Amazon
Play

Disturbed - "Asylum"

As a fan of the whole nu-metal genre, I was looking forward to this new outing from Disturbed. Every one of their albums has had its fair share of great songs, and this one is no exception. continuing with their usual styling, Disturbed have managed to put together yet another master class in metal!

The album is full of catchy riffs, piercing vocals and thrashing solos. Interestingly the band have written some material that sounds a little more old school, some more thought provoking songs and even a cover of a U2 track. Disturbed have not only continued with a great run of albums, but they have gone outside of their comfort zone and proved that they can be more than just your typical metal band.

If you are a fan of Disturbed this album is nothing less than essential. If you are a fan of metal, I would say the same thing. I might even go as far to say that most people could find something on this album that they like. I tremendous effort!

What Should I do?
BUY IT!

Where to get it?
Amazon
Play