eye on melbourne

The Hottest 100 for 2010 was hugely disappointing. This is not particularly unusual; there have been plenty of years where the response to the countdown was a resounding ‘Meh’. This, however, usually happens when the year itself is rife with mostly mediocre releases. But 2010? COME ON. 2010 saw some of the best releases in recent memory - so why didn’t the countdown reflect that fact?

In the end, it’s not just the fact that basically average songs (such as ‘Barbara Streisand’ by Duck Sauce, ‘Magic Fountain’ by Art vs. Science, ‘ABC News Theme Remix’ by Pendulum and dare I say ‘Big Jet Plane’ by Angus and Julia Moan Stone) made the cut. It’s the fact that the amazing songs below didn’t rate a mention at all.

Norway/Walk In The Park - Beach House

My housemate Steph voted for ‘Walk In The Park’ and swears up and down that this got loads of play on Triple J throughout the year; she’s probably right. I voted for ‘Norway’, which I think is a far stronger song. Regardless, not a single track from ‘Teen Dream’ by Beach House made the list. And that is a travesty.

Conversation 16 - The National

‘High Violet’ by The National was arguably the best album release of 2010. Whilst ‘Anyone’s Ghost’ and ‘Bloodbuzz Ohio’ made the list (at 93 and 31, respectively), my friends and I were appalled that ‘Conversation 16’ made no appearance. Why wouldn’t you vote for a song that declares, “I was afraid I’d eat your brains”?

Dance Yrself Clean - LCD Soundsystem

‘I Can Change’ was the only song off LCD Soundsystem’s ‘This Is Happening’ that made into the Hottest 100, and it only came in at 92. Seriously. 92. When it played at 92, we were devastated, but consoled ourselves with the thought that at least ‘Dance Yrself Clean’ would be right up there. And then that never happened.

Hand Me Down Your Love - Hot Chip

This list, I am beginning to realise, is becoming overrepresented by bands I saw in 2010. Hot Chip, of course, played a banging set at Splendour in the Grass and blew apart my feeble little mind. To be fair, both ‘One Life Stand’ and ‘I Feel Better’ made the list; however, for anyone who saw ‘Hand Me Down Your Love’ live, this omission is a total insult.

Odessa - Caribou

I don’t even know how to begin to explain this one. How on EARTH was ‘Odessa’ not anywhere in the Hottest 100, especially since the Caribou/Four Tet shows sold out pretty much instantly and there are no goddamn tickets anyone is willing to sell??? Does. Not. Make. Sense.

All of The Lights - Kanye West

Look, people hate Kanye West, but there’s no denying he’s incredibly talented. Similarly, there’s no denying that ‘My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy’ is a solid album. ‘All Of The Lights’ is one of the best songs on the album, and it’s so lame that it didn’t make the countdown. Sigh.

thesocialstudio:

6pm Tuesday 8th March

Underground Arts Park, 44 Harnsworth St Collingwood.

LCD Soundsystem’s ‘I Can Change’ at number 92 on the Hottest 100????

What. The. Fuck.

Since Tumblr is full of rad people who care about stuff, I know you guys are concerned about how our brothers and sisters are faring in flood-ravaged Queensland.

However, Queensland needs more than concern. They also need cold hard cash - because floods are freaking expensive.

An easy way to donate? Pop into any Just Group store - that’s Just Jeans, Jay Jays, Dotti, Portmans, Jacqui E, Smiggle or Peter Alexander - and add $1 to your transaction.

Too easy. What excuse do you have?

After 12 days, 1 music festival, 18 bands, 5 campsites, 1000s of kilometers, 2 lukewarm showers, 1 scalding shower, 11 Zyrtec, 20 boxes of Shapes, 1 swamp misadventure and 100s of photos, I am finally on my way home.

I’m sunburnt, exhausted and will have to spend at least $20 at the Elgin St laundromat in the coming days. I’m in dire need of a bath and I feel sorry for whoever has to sit next to me on the plane.

But you know what? It’s all totes worth it. Tasmania, I salute you.