Top 11 Songs of 2011

Many music sites and bloggers list their top whatever of the year usually during December. But what if something good shows up during the last days of the year? That's why I'm posting my own lists this month, because in a matter of fact December did hit me up with a special treat, but more of that next week.

Now I present you my top 11 songs of 2011:

11. Hypnotic Brass Ensemble - Touch The Sky
This is the feel good factor song. Well no wonder, since they keep on singing 'I feel good, You feel good'.
(Read here my gig review from last November)



10. Zola Jesus - In Your Nature
One of my 2011 music crushes. Here's my favorite song of her latest album 'Conatus'.



9. Crystal Fighters - Plage
When I worked at a CD factory this song was on the radio every single day..Just to make my work days merrier.
(Read here my feature on them and here my gig review from last May)



8. Austra - Beat And The Pulse
I just simply love the dark and wonderfully numbing beats of this song.
(Read here my gig review from last September)



7. The Strokes - Under Cover Of Darkness
Isn't it great to have them back after five years? And their comeback song doesn't suck, which is something you're usually afraid of.



6. Wild Beasts - Reach A Bit Further
Their latest album 'Smother' isn't the easiest to listen to, even this song's beauty I've started to understand only after hearing it live. But you can't deny the fact that it has brilliant lyrics and killer vocals from both Hayden and Tom as always. Best duet so far.



5. Explosions In The Sky - Postcard From 1952
2011 was the year when I got to know the band, fall in love with them and have their latest album 'Take Care, Take Care, Take Care' playing many days at the office, many times. Here's my favorite song (or instrumental as we learned at law class) of the album from my 'dose of happy melancholia'.
(Read here my gig review from last May)



4. The Kills - Future Starts Slow
You can blow what's left of my right mind. Just hearing the first seconds of the opening track of their 'Blood Pressures' album did just that and already I was sure that the rest of the album is great.
(Read here my gig review from last March)



3. Bon Iver - Calgary
In my opinion the most anticipated song/album of the year. When hearing that Bon Iver's style would change a bit with the new songs, I was worried. Though in vain.
(Read here my Bon Iver, Bon Iver album review)



2. Friends - I'm His Girl
All I can say that this song gives hope to the music scene (and relationships).
(Read here my feature on the band)



And after listening to many kick ass songs, ladies and gentlemen I present you my number 1 song of 2011:

Anna Calvi - Suzanne And I
I have one word to describe this masterpiece; BJU-TI-FUL.
(Read here my review of the video and here my gig review from last April)



What were your top songs of 2011?

Where were you when this happened?

10.1.2012

People ask where were you when John F. Kennedy was killed? Where were you when you heard about Kurt Cobain's death? Depressing innit? So let's look at a different kind of historical moment.

'Aunt Jallu, where were you when I was born?'

'Dear whatsyourname, who has an extremely good taste in music, supports Liverpool Football Club and enjoys reading philosophical books thanks to your awesome aunt, I was at the legendary Mayflower pub taking part in a pub quiz while enjoying a tasty English cider.'

I received a txt just before we were about to go to the pub that my brother's baby should be delivered in an hour. During that anxious hour me, Linda and three extremely nice and funny South Africans were trying to answer questions like:

1. What is the only food cockroaches do not eat?
2. What is the difference between a man and a woman's tears?
3. With whom was Ann Darrow in love with?
(answers in the end)

Then I received a txt, which just stated that the content cannot be shown. Even though I enjoy holding on to my old Nokias (=I do not want a new phone), that was a moment when I wish I had a more recent phone. But it was a good thing that Linda had a Nokia, which actually could show pictures.

Wondering for 9 months how the baby would look like.. just like my brother! Of course another drink had to be enjoyed in that atmospheric place.

note; quote from the bible

If Mayflower still doesn't ring a bell, it's the ship which transported the English Pilgrims. So the pub was located where the ship left.

It still though doesn't feel like my nephew is born. So much preparation has been done (buying Liverpool stuff..) and I still remember the day I got the news. School was stressing me so much and everything was just terrible, but then I got the news, which made me realize I was worrying for nothing. My flat mate Judit and other exchange friends Jara and Maria threw a lunch to celebrate the occasion (CHEERS X), at which I got a Kinder chocolate egg. Check out the expiration date.

That was also the day that I heard I got my internship here in London, and the next day I was travelling to Ireland. All good things come at once!

All of this feels like yesterday. I guess all of it will feel more real, when I see the little one. And also my sister in March! I actually dreamt of her last night. Perhaps I'm too eager to see...the pair of Converse shoes she's bringing.

Answers:

1. Pickles.
2. A man's tears are a  half celcius colder.
3. King Kong.

We learned a word too; falange (not sure if it's written like that, but try to guess what it means!).

The Anfield Experience pt.2

7.1.2012

Part 2 of my Anfield Experience! Read here of the first part if you haven't yet.

I had booked a stadium and museum tour for 9.30, so it was so good to have a place to stay 100 yards from the stadium!

Here you have the statue of Bill Shankly, Liverpool's manager, who revived the team during post-war times. He believed that the fans were the most important, who stayed (and still stay) loyal no matter what. Below the statue is written 'He made people happy.'

The Legends' Room. One day we'll have players like Steven Gerrard and Jamie Carragher there. Hopefully not for many years yet.

The former Boot Room, where players and manager went through tactics. There was a superstition going on among the players that they had the visit the room before the match, so they'd win. Starting from season 90-01 Sky Sports wanted TV rights, so a media room had to be built. They got rid of the boot room, and ever since Liverpool hasn't won the league.

manager's office

old dressing room

Everyone expected the dressing room to be fancier. Or at least have lockers. It really hasn't change much, since Shankly's times like you can see in the picture. He thought that there shouldn't be any distractions, and that the players must sit with whom they're playing with. This way there wouldn't be any clicks; the players are there to do their job, not make friends. And you only get to go to the manager's office, if he asks for you. So not even the captain can barge in without an invite.

In the away dressing room there isn't the expensive non-slippery mat on the floor, no air condition and no noise proof walls. So the visitors can hurt themselves, suffocate and not hear anything what the manager says.

Shankly ordered to have that 'This is Anfield' sign put up to intimidate the away team. Liverpool players touch the board before they get on the pitch. Tall players give it a kiss and the short ones just a wave. Earlier an Oldham player who is a Liverpool fan had also been at the stadium tour, and all of his hair went up when he saw that sign. Imagine how he must have felt before the match!

Anfield is probably the place, where you have the home and away substitute benches closest to each other. And it takes about 3 days to clean the stadium thoroughly after a game.

The view from the empty Kop.

April 15th, 1989, 766 Liverpool supporters were injured and 96 lost their lives at Hillsborough football stadium due to being crushed. This resulted in the elimination of standing terraces at all major football stadiums  in England and Scotland. Among the victims was also Steven Gerrard's 10-year-old cousin. Every year they commemorate them at Anfield. I also noticed during Friday's game that in the end they started chanting 'Stand up for the 96, stand up for the 96'.

The man in the picture above is John Houlding, the founder of the club after a dispute between the Everton FC committee and him. After Liverpool FC was founded they used the blue colors of their rivals for a while yet.

It was said that manager Shankly didn't care much for players who were injured until they were fit again. Also that his favorite song was 'You'll Never Walk Alone' and everytime he went to The Kop and lifted his hands the fans started to sing the song.

Liverpool had been three times European Champions, before a stadium disaster happened in Brussels an hour before kick off against Juventus. 39 Juventus fans died, and English clubs were banned from all European competitions for some years with Liverpool a year longer.

There you have King Kenny doing the Anfield Rap. And it does exist.

World Cup medal from 1966. The only time England were the champions.

League Champions 18, European Cup Winners 5, European Super Cup Winners 3, UEFA Cup Winners 3, FA Cup Winners 7, League Cup Winners 7, Charity Shield Winners 10

The first cup won that I've witnessed.

Even this guy was performing there;

Every time a club wins the Champions League they get a replica of the trophy to bring home.

When a club wins it for the fifth time, they get to keep the trophy.

Clubs like Ajax, Bayern Munich, Real Madrid and Manchester United are in good company at Anfield.

That night in Istanbul was amazing!

One of the match balls.

AC Milan opened the champagne bottle already during half-time when they were leading 3-0. I guess during the second half the drink started to taste bad.

moses said..

Those who have no idea/remember what happened, it's time to educate yourself.



So the Liverpool players heard AC Milan celebrating in their dressing room during half time and also heard the Liverpool fans singing 'You'll Never Walk Alone'. Which then lead to the greatest come back ever.

It was time for me to leave back to the city centre. I had many hours before my bus left, so I thought I'd walk, even though I didn't know the route. But I figured if I follow the bus route, and check every now and then the bus stops that I'm going to the right direction. Glad I did it this way, there was some nice things to see.

2005 celebrations

One of the best trips ever made. And it was nice to see other places in England too. So not all English people are miserable!