Todd is God

As we approach the halfway point in the year, it si time to look at the best singles and albums of 2009, thus far. Singles this week. So in no particular order and just down to what I can remember ... Top 20 Singles 1. La Roux – In for the Kill 2. La Roux - Bulletproof 3. Yeah Yeah Yeahs – Heads Will Roll 4. Yeah Yeah Yeahs - Zero 5. Taylor Swift – Love Story 6. Kelly Clarkson – I don't hook up 7. The Veronicas – Untouched 8. The Prodigy – Invaders Must Die 9. Florence & The Machine – Rabbitt Heart 10. Depeche Mode – Wrong 11. The Decemberists - The Rake’s Song 12. Bonnie “Prince” Billy - I Am Goodbye 13. Pet Shop Boys - Love etc 14. Steel Panther - Death To All But Metal 15. Peaches – Talk to Me 16. Kings of Leon – Use Somebody 17. Bat For Lashes – Daniel 18. Lily Allen – It's Not Fair 19. Seether – Careless Whisper 20. Bruce Springsteen – Working on a Dream

It has been a while since I last saw Fishbone, and a couple of years ago I would have been unsure as to whether the band could still cut it, after a couple of quite disappointing album releases, but last year's 'Still Stuck in Your Throat' was the best record that had made since 'Reality' in my view (although I do still like the raw rock of 'Monkey'). The first time I saw them - October 1991 (I think?) – at Brixton(?) (one of the best gigs I have ever been to) , they filmed the promo video for the song 'Fight the Youth' off The Reality of my Surroundings album Back then they still have their optimum line up (inc Kendall Jones, JB Bigham, Walter Kibby) but even with the current line up I am pleased to say that Fishbone still know how to put on a show. Angelo Moore still like to throw himself into the crowd at any and every opportunity (Dre Gipson – a welcome addition on Keys and vocals is also keen), and Angelo still enjoys taking his clothes off, al...

Been a bit slow in mentioning that I have tickets for Todd doing this in London next Feb. LONG way off, but looking forward to seeing if he can pull performing one of the bext albums of the 70s live.

I first heard of Australian duo, The Veronicas at the end of last year, when I caught a few seconds of the title track of their current album. It stuck in my head, but the band's name didn't until the beginning of this year when I remembered and downloaded the album. I then forgot about it again, until a month ago, when I decided to give it a spin, and found that I loved it. The band comprise Lisa and Jess Origliasso, 22 year old identical twin sisters. Their debut album was a pop/rock affair in the style of Avril lavigne /Ashlee Simpson et al. Whilst it showed hints of the twins' ability to pen catchy pop tunes it never really delivered on its initial promise. Move forward a few years and they have now delivered that promise in Spades with 'Hook Me Up' – a collection of infectious 80s influenced (Flashdance, Boys of summer as well as nods to Prince/Shelia E) synth pop/rock tunes. The Video for Hook me up , with the whole schoolgirl uniform thing going on reminds yo...