Playlist - March 2008

OK so the country's going to hell in a hand-basket... what better escape than a bumper crop of tunes?

1. Adele - Hometown Glory: One word... "Goosebumps"!
2. Tom Baxter - Skybound: A beautiful melancholy album of soothing songs
3. Sebastien Tellier - Divine: From hipster darling to Eurovision contender. Only in France!
4. Duffy - Mercy: Old fashioned white-soul stomper and a huge hit already
   
5. Snoop Dogg - Sensual Seduction: Snoop sings... who knew?! Get used to hearing this song everywhere you go this coming summer
6. Mark Brown - The Journey Continues: A chilled out track with lead vocals by Sarah Cracknell of Saint Etienne (no, not the football team!)
7. Yoav - Club Thing: Interesting song by a South African singer who looks like a jewish James Blunt (thankfully not as awful!)
8. Lupe Fiasco feat. Matthew Santos - Superstar: I keep feeling Robbie Williams would've added more spice to the chorus.
   
9. Sarabeth Tucek - Hot Tears: Stoner rock with soft female vocals. A novel concept indeed!
10. R.E.M. - Supernatural Superserious: A hard rocking return to form
11. Doug Walker - The Mystery: The first uplifting anthem of the year
    
12. Axwell vs. Salim Al-Fakir - It's True: A feelgood dance mix of a pretty pop song by a Swedish singer with an Arabic name!
13. MGMT - Time to Pretend: New-wave pop with witty lyrics
14. Hercules and Love Affair - Blind: Highly original
15. Vampire Weekend - Mansard Roof: Imagine Paul Simon's Graceland redone by an upstart punk-pop band
16. أيامي بيك - أليسا: A great song in need of a dynamic singer with more energy

Classic pick: The Cars - Just What I Needed.... no reason, just felt like it

Playlist November 2007

بعد أسبوع حافل بالأحداث التعيسة، يعجز اللسان والقلم والكيبورد مجتمعين عن الوصف والتعليق... فاين نبدأ بالله عليكم؟ من التلويح المستمر بحل مجلس الأمة إلى تعليق عضوية منتخب كرة القدم في فيفا، إلى حفظ قضية سرقة العصر لعدم كفاية الأدلة، إلى نجرة جاسم الخرافي وناصر المحمد جدام العالم والناس، إلى تعنت بدر الحميضي وتمسكه بكرسي الوزارة.... شنقول؟؟؟؟

إليكم هذه الأغاني المختارة لقليل من الترويح بدلاً من الصداع

1. The Clash - I Fought The Law (And The Law Won): Not in Kuwait it didn't!!
2. The Clash - Bank Robber: You know who you are!
3. Queen - We Are The Champions: That was then... You're a disgrace now!
   
4. Roisin Murphy - Overpowered: A whole album full of pop gems, with echoes of Madonna, Goldfrapp and even Dusty Springfield. Best track: Let Me Know
5. Sigur Ros - Hljomalind: Dreamy Icelandic song. No idea what they're saying but who cares?
   

I'm still getting my head around Radiohead's latest so I haven't yet formed a full opinion, although I really like the track House of Cards ... a perfect metaphor for Kuwait these days.

And meanwhile... worst comeback of 2007? The Spice Girls... WTF?!

Playlist - October 2007

First of all, apologies for spacing out and forgetting the September playlist (as if you cared or noticed). I've also been asked a few times why there's so little Arabic in my playlists, and the main answer is the output is minor compared to the offerings from the US and UK. If you check the new releases every week you can spot the difference. There's simply not enough to grab my attention, but if you have any tips please let me know.

For this month, a return to form from a rock legend and a double whammy from an exciting new(ish) band among other treats that also include a hilarious hip-hop ode to a certain lunatic president.

1. Bruce Springsteen - A Long Walk Home: The Boss is back with what critics are calling his best album since "The River", and this track is proof.
2. Editors - An End Has A Start: I remember when U2 were the default band for passionate rock on an epic scale. These guys fit the bill for now.
3. Editors - Smokers Outside The Hospital Doors: See above.
4. The Shins - Australia: Insanely catchy power pop.
5. Rihanna - Rehab: The girl is on a roll! And no it's not a cover of Amy Winehouse's hit about where she needs to be right now.
   
6. Timbaland feat. One Republic - Apologize: A lovely R&B ballad that was apparently released way before Timbaland's album.
7. Axwell - I Found You: I meant to post this song ages ago. Better late than never.
   
8. Sugababes - About You Now: Followers of the playlist already know I have a soft spot for the Sugababes, but even I didn't recognize them when I heard this track.
9. Turin Brakes - Stalker: A beautiful song with an unsettling video.
10. Talib Kweli feat. Norah Jones - Soon The New Day: A laid back hip-hop track given extra coolness by Norah Jones's sweet voice.
11. Calvin Harris - Merrymaking At My Place: More silliness from Mr. Harris. He's having a party at his house and we're all invited!
12. Chris Lake feat. Emma Hewitt: Carry Me Away: A cool breezy dance track.
13. Sia - Breathe Me: Having been recently blown away by the final episode of Six Feet Under, this song continues to haunt me.
14. Samberg & Levine - I Ran So Far: A lovesong for Mahmoud Ahmedinejad.

Playlist August 2007

A strong showing from some new male vocalists this month; great, moving songs you won't be hearing on $#%^&Station anytime soon.... Why? Because they're idiots!!

1. Cherry Ghost - People Help The People: A beautiful song with a video depicting the bleak landscape of urban Britain.


2. Newton Faulkner - Dream Catch Me: An uplifting anthem to brighten everyone's day.


3. وحدة وحدة - محمد حماقي: A message to our government and parliament to just take it easy on us?


4. Rihanna - Don't Stop The Music: Can this stomping track with the classic sample surpass Umbrella's popularity? We shall see


5. Roisin Murphy - Overpowered: Ex-Moloko lead vocalist. Skip the original and listen to the ace remix.


6. Robyn - With Every Heartbeat: Terrific comeback from the Swedish singer.


7. LCD Soundsystem - All My Friends: A song about getting old and staying young


8. Mandy Moore - Extraordinary: I thought this was Sarah McLachlan when I heard it!


9. Keren Ann - Lay Your Head Down: A very original and beautiful song.


10. Amerie - Crush: A pop gem, away from the usual shouty R&B


11. Groove Armada with Mutya Buena - Song 4 Mutya: Yet another ex-Sugababe, with a guilty pleasure that's better than anything on her solo album.
    

Playlist July 2007

You voted. I listened (sort of)... The Playlist is back, only now it's going to be monthly instead of weekly. I also want to experiment with adding some non-musical videos that I think you might enjoy, so let's see how that goes..

Since I missed listing too much music during the playlist's absence I'm not going to recap anything unless it's really noteworthy:

1. Mark Ronson - Version: Superstar DJ Ronson produced this eclectic mix of cover versions of classic and recent hits by some of today's brightest stars. Standouts include a cover of the Smiths' "Stop Me" and the Zutons' "Valerie" with Amy Winehouse.
2. Prince - Guitar: A roaring return to rock-god form by the one and only genius.
3. Andrea Corr - Shame on You: The Corrs' lead singer's first solo single, and it's pretty good.
4. Martin Solveig - Cabo Parano: So chilled, so sexy, so French!
5. Toufic Farroukh - Tootya: Another blissful mix of Arabic, electronica and jazz from the Lebanese master. Check out El Hob الحب
6. Alibi vs. Rockefeller - Sexual Healing (Freemasons Mix): A fun and slightly cheesy dance mix of the Marvin Gaye classic. (Warning: Video NSFW*)
7. Siobhan Donaghy - Ghosts: The first Sugababe to get kicked out of the group, this album is shockingly good from beginning to end.
8. Beverly Knight - After You: Really old fashioned soul, but so sweet and sunny.
9. Rihanna feat. Jay-Z - Umbrella: Yes I know it's played to death everywhere, and it shouldn't be a summer hit but it's still at No. 1 in the UK where it's been raining non-stop!
10. Manic Street Preachers - Your Love Alone Is Not Enough: Fantastic sing-along rock with guest vocals by Nina Persson of the Cardigans.
11. Reverend & The Makers - Heavyweight Champion of the World: Fun smash hit with shades of Duran Duran and Haircut 100 (remember them?)
12. Goldspot - Tally of the Yes Men: This multi-racial L.A. band blends an incredible ear for classic pop with some Indian-Bollywood influences. Brilliant!
    

Keith Olbermann Kicks Ass!: For this month's non-music selection, watch MSNBC's Keith Olbermann put the current Bush White House to shame and then ask yourselves "what if....?"

Playlist Survey

As you've probably noticed, the Playlist has been absent for a while mainly because I feel that it doesn't generate as much interest as it used to.

So in the spirit of democracy and to give you - the people - a final say in the matter, I've put up this little poll...

Playlist

Would you like me to bring back the weekly playlist of my music recommendations? Yes please!! Hell no! What playlist?? Make it monthly Your taste in music sucks! Not enough Arabic Music is Haram! Current Results

Playlist March 15 - 21

Question: What does your taste in music say about you? Is it an accurate reflection of who you are as a person? This report seems to think so, although it only takes into account Western music, but I think the same theories can apply to different tastes in any kind of music as well..

While you're trying to figure yourself out (and possibly everyone you know) based on taste in music, here's the playlist after a long absence with so many great new releases:

1. Arcade Fire - Neon Bible: Just the other day I was thinking how more indie bands are sounding a lot like Springsteen. Turns out I'm not alone. First single is Black Mirror.
2. Tracy Thorn - Out of the Woods: Solo album by lead singer of "Everything But The Girl". Just as you would expect. First Single is "It's All True".
3. Joss Stone - Introducing Joss Stone: Why she's being "introduced" on her 3rd album is anyone's guess, but she's back with more of her trademark blue-eyed retro soul. First single is "Tell Me 'Bout It"
4. Paolo Nutini - New Shoes: Admit it.. Walking around with cool new shoes on is an uplifting experience!
5. The Gossip - Standing in the Way of Control: That size! That voice!
6. David Vandervelde - Murder in Michigan: This could've been written by the late George Harrison, a beautiful song about a deadly subject.
7. Klaxons - Golden Skans: No idea what "Skans" are, but it's a cool song with a bizarre video.
8. Calvin Harris - Acceptable in the 80's: What was acceptable back in the 80's that's not acceptable now? Discuss.

Earlier this week, the lead singer of classic rock group Boston was found dead in his home in New Hampshire, USA. So in his honor, the classic selection this week is their smash hit "More Than a Feeling".

I'm also told that Purgatory flew to New Hampshire for the funeral. Can anyone verify that?

أيــامــنــا الــحــلــوة

يا ريت كنت موجود... كم تشوقنا وتلهفنا على أيام الحفلات الموسيقية الرسمية التي كنا نستمتع بها أيام زمان قبل أن يتم تحريم وتجريم الفن والفرح

شكراً لإعادتها لنا ، واللي مو عاجبه من نواب مجلس الهم والغم يطق راسه بالطوفة

Playlist February 8 - 14

I see that this week's playlist is valid until the 14th, i.e. the dreaded Valentine's Day, and since I don't have much new to recommend this week... here's a random selection of songs that have nothing in common except the word "LOVE" in the titles

1. Reflekt - Need to Feel Loved: A huge club hit in 2005, but it's been on "heavy rotation" with me the last few weeks.
2. The Cure - Love Song: Moping love song from goth heroes.
3. Elton John - Love Lies Bleeding: One of his classic masterpieces, and always the opening song of his live concerts.
4. Black Rebel Motorcycle Club - We're All in Love: The sonic equivalent to that great romantic movie True Romance.
5. Collective Soul - Tremble for my Beloved: A great live band. Whatever happened to them?
6. Madonna - Love Profusion (Head Cleaner Rock Mix): Check out this hard rocking remix of one of her most under-rated songs.
7. Nada Surf - Inside of Love : A song for hopeless romantics everywhere.
8. Pat Benatar - Love is a Battlefield: The 80's classic with the unintentionally hilarious video.
9. Sheila E - A Love Bizarre: Funky Prince-penned 80's hit from sexy drummer Sheila E.
10. Madonna - Justify My Love: One more from Madonna. This could be the one to get the blog banned!!

Playlist February 1 - 7

Here's this week's selection..

1. Justin Timberlake - What Goes Around: His best songs are always the ones he releases right after a high profile break-up. Last time it was Britney Spears, this time Cameron Diaz! Check out this live performance.
2. The Shins - Phantom Limb: Made sort of famous by the Garden State soundtrack, The Shins return with this Morrissey flavored single.
3. Sophie Ellis-Bextor - Catch You: Former disco dolly goes "Indie".
4. Chocolate Puma - Always & Forever: This one's from last summer, but I missed it back then.
5. Client - Zerox Machine: A sexy remake of an old Adam & The Ants song.

Playlist - January 25 - 31 2007

The playlist returns after a hiatus in which December didn't have much on offer and I somehow forgot to post my Best of 2006 list (too late now). The past few weeks have just been lazy, but we'll kick off with a track I recommended last year waaaaaay before its official release and now it's a big hit. Can I call them or what?!

1. MIKA - Grace Kelly: Lebanese-born, spent some time in Kuwait as a kid apparently. A perfect Freddie Mercury "homage" and #1 on the UK charts this week! Maybe Linda can take time out from Audi commercials and play it some day.
2. Ghosts - Musical Chairs: Bright sunny pop, perfect for this sunny weekend.
3. واحنا سوا - أصالة : Restraint suits her so well, and this song has shades of North Africa in it.
4. Jay Jay Johanson - She Doesn't Live Here Anymore: Scandinavian pop treat more on the melancholy side. Sounds like a song from an old 70's French film.
5. The Bird and The Bee - Again & Again: And so does this one.
6. The Killers - Bones: More Springsteen-esque rock, with a video directed by Tim Burton.
7. أحلى حاجة فيكي - محمد حماقي : The catchiest song to come out of Egypt for a while, giving Amr Diab and run for his money and I bet many sleepless nights.
8. Freemasons feat. Amanda Wilson - I Feel Like: From their latest album full of club hits, this is a standout.

Little Mosque on the Prairie

Remember "Little House on The Prairie"? Canadian TV channel CBC is now showing a parody of that classic, annoyingly wholesome show in which a Muslim family settles in the plains of Saskatchewan, Canada and struggles to fit in with the local devout Christian population.

Zarqa Nawaz, creator and writer of the groundbreaking show, insists she's an equal-opportunity satirist taking dead-aim at both Muslim and Canadian stereotypes in a post-September 11 world.

"I expect both groups will be wondering if the other finds the show funny," says Nawaz. There are predictable jokes about Muslim beliefs clashing with Canadian traditions. In one scene, a father wearing a kufi, or a knitted cap worn by devout Muslims, protests that his Canadian-born daughter wearing a revealing tank top looks "like a Protestant."

"Don't you mean prostitute?" the daughter asks.

"No, I meant a Protestant," the father replies.

In another scene, a young man of Middle Eastern origins with a Canadian accent is heard in an airport check-in line telling his mother via cell phone that his father shouldn't think his choosing to stop being a Toronto lawyer to become an imam in Saskatchewan amounts to career "suicide."

"This is Allah's plan for me," the young man says in passing, before an arresting cop appears suddenly and tells the surprised lawyer that he won't be making that appointment in Paradise.

والآن لدينا فكرة جديدة لمسلسل تلفزيوني من 30 حلقة يعرض في شهر رمضان القادم، يحكي قصة عائلة مسيحية (لم نحدد جنسيتها بعد) تنتقل للعيش في الكويت وتحاول مع عائلات مسيحية أخرى إقامة كنيسة صغيرة في إحدى مناطق الكويت (أيضاً لم نحدد المنطقة بعد)، وما في ذلك من دراما خفيفة وهادفة ومشاهد فكاهية تموّت من الضحك مع نواب مجلس الأمة وأعضاء المجلس البلدي، والمعروف عنهم خفة الدم وروح المرح والدعابة

قـــلـــبــي ارتـــجـــف

ذهبت مساء أمس برفقة الوالدة - الله يحفظها - لحضور الأمسية الغنائية التي أقيمت ضمن فعاليات مهرجان القرين تخليداً لذكرى الفنان الراحل غريد الشاطيء، رحمة الله عليه... ولا بعد ما تجوز الرحمة على الفنانين هالأيام؟؟؟ ما قمنا نعرف، وبانتظار فتوى من شيوخ التسامح

عند وصولنا إلى مسرح الدسمة - وهو أفضل ما لدينا في دولة نفطية يتباهى سكانها قبل حكومتها بثرواتهم الطائلة - أخذنا مقاعدنا ولاحظت أن خلفية المسرح، أي خلف أوركسترا الفرقة الوطنية الكويتية للموسيقى (اللي نصفها غير كويتيين) صورة كبيرة للفنان الراحل وقائمة مطبوعة بخط كبير لأشهر أغانيه . اعتقدت لأول وهلة أن هذه هي قائمة الأغاني التي ستسمعها في الأمسية وصعقت عندما رأيت أن أغنية قلبي ارتجف لم تكن ضمن القائمة... بغيت أطلع وأرجع البيت احتجاجاً على هذا التقصير، لكني تعوذت من ابليس وقلت نقعد ونسمع مسموح على الأقل

بدأ الحفل بتقديم درع تذكاري في ذكرى المرحوم، استلمه نيابة عن أسرة الفقيد ابنه الكبير عبدالله، والذي يشبه والده بشكل غير طبيعي، ما شاء الله... ثم اتضح بعد ذلك أن القائمة المطبوعة على خلفية جدار المسرح كانت مجرد فكرة ديكور (حدها بايخة) لا تمت لبرنامج الحفل بصلة، وبدأ الحفل بأغنية قلبي ارتجف، والتي برأيي المتواضع من أجمل الأغاني الكويتية على الإطلاق، أداها المطرب الشاب فواز المرزوق بصوته الحنون ورافقه الإيقاعيين بالطِيران... استمر الحفل بمختارات من أغاني غريد الخالدة وبأداء مجموعة من المغنين مثل مسموح ، بتروحلك مشوار ، حسبت انك تصونين الأمانة والتي يمكن أن نوجه كلماتها إلى حكومتنا ونوابنا الأفاضل... وغيرها الكثير

كان فريق الكورال (الردّادين) جالساً مختبئاً خلف الأوركسترا، أصواتهم جميلة لكنهم كانوا كالتنابل بدون حركة أو تصفيق... في دولة الرعب والتكفير أصبح الكويتيون أهل الفن والطرب يصفقون بحياء غير معهود أثناء المقاطع الموسيقية، خشية من بطش أشاوس الإعلام أو الداخلية.. وين الشربكة والحماس؟؟ لو أن الكورال أخذ بادرة التصفيق بدلاً من الجلوس لتحمس الجمهور أكثر

بس ما يخالف... العوض ولا القطيعة... قضينا أمسية جميلة في ذكرى فنان عظيم لم يلقى التقدير المناسب أثناء حياته

Playlist November 23 - 29

I almost forgot it's Thanksgiving Day today

1. Simon Webbe - Coming Around Again: There's something about a gospel choir and cold weather that just works.
2. Metallica - Unforgiven: Just to piss off a few people ;-)
3. Stevie Wonder - Superstition: Randomly picked from my iPod; Stevie at his best before the "atrocity", with a performance on Sesame Street!
4. رجعت الشتوية - فيروز: And about time too!
5. Adam Sandler - The Thanksgiving Song: Happy turkey day!

Playlist November 16 - 22

As we approach the end of the year, the pickings are slimmer than usual what with the glut of "greatest hits" albums and other scams foisted on the gift-buying public, so the list includes a few old favorites of mine

1. The Hours - Ali In The Jungle: Newcomers with an uplifting pop tune and a piano hook that refuses to leave your head.
2. علمتني - أصالة: She has a beautiful voice when she's not screaming.
3. UB40 - Food For Thought: Many people don't know that UB40 started as a tight reggae band with no dreams of becoming the easy listening horrors they are now. This is one of their earliest and best hits.
4. Mazzy Star - Fade Into You: One of the dreamiest songs every recorded (during the 90's anyway)
5. Faith No More - Everything's Ruined: An epic rocker!

And don't miss the hilarious trailer for Tenacious D's new movie The Pick of Destiny

Playlist November 9 - 15

For some reason I was "locked out" of Blogger yesterday and I couldn't write any posts or even comment. All fixed now, so here's the delayed playlist, heavy on the R&B this week

1. Amy Winehouse - Back to Black: Run to buy this album pronto. A soul classic in the making!
2. Robin Thicke - The Evolution of.... : Extremely talented son of America's most painfully unfunny man Alan Thicke. Smooth, subtle R&B.. the way it should be.
3. Mister V feat. Miss Patty - Da Bump: Ridiculously catchy hip/house track.
4. Taio Cruz - I Just Wanna Know: Chilled out British R&B newcomer.

Playlist November 2 - 8

A little nepotism never hurt anyone...

1. Hani feat. Andrea Martin - Middle of the Night: New York-based KUWAITI DJ/Producer extraordinaire's latest smooth groove. Check out the other tracks as well.
2. U2 & Green Day - The Saints Are Coming: Two of my favorite bands together on a track for the victims of Hurricane Katrina.
3. Duke Special - Wake Up Scarlett: A new talent with a beautiful epic ballad of the kind I thought nobody made anymore.
4. John Legend - Save Room: The "Legend" is back with a new album and this is the first single.
5. TV On The Radio - Wolf Like Me: Punk rock is alive and well... and black (was that racist?)