mardi 25 Jan 2011, 20h13m
And once again it's time for Triple J's Hottest 100. Obviously, this list is going to cause many a person to break out it fits of haterage, but no list is ever gonna please everyone.
Once again, I'm doing commentary on this as it's played.
And for 101, just missing out was XXXO by M.I.A.. I thought it might get it, but no such luck, I guess. It was one of the better cuts from her album, but that really isn't saying much. I wouldn't be too surprised to see Born Free make an appearance later.
100. Neutron Star Collision (Love Is Forever) by Muse
Well, it looks like they let the Twilight fans vote in this again. It's pretty silly stuff, but I'm not too surprised to see it make it's way in here. I had expected it to get higher though.
99. Big by Dead Letter Circus
Not at all surprised to see Dead Letter Circus make it in, since they pretty much filled the void for Australian hard rock this year. I'm expecting that they'll probably make another appearance later with ]One Step.
98. Spanish Sahara by Foals
Now this I hadn't expected to make it at all, since it didn't receive nearly as much airplay as Miami or This Orient. With that said, it might just be the best song that Foals have created thus far.
97. Sleepwalker by Parkway Drive
I can't really give a fair opinion on this track, due to the fact that I pretty much dislike the hardcore genre in general. Still, I guess it'll please a good number of people by it's inclusion.
96. Go Do by Jónsi
Oooh, I didn't think Jónsi would be in this, but it makes me pretty happy to see one of my more recent favourite singers getting some love.
95. The High Road by Broken Bells
I thought this one would more likely just fall out of the top 100, but it's just a bit more popular then I guessed. The high amount of airplay probably helped that along. I'm happy enough to see them make an appearance, though there was other songs from the album I preferred over this.
94. Time to Smile by Xavier Rudd
I thought this might get just a little higher, but not surprised to see it make it. Certainly one of the more summery, feel-good songs from last year.
93. Anyone's Ghost by The National
Good to see The National getting some love, since it was my favourite album from last year, not to mention one of the favourites from the listener polls. I'm fully expecting them to make at least one more appearance later on.
92. I Can Change by LCD Soundsystem
And on what is probably their very final album, LCD Soundsystem finally make it in on one of these. Though I think Drunk Girls may make a showing latter, since that was the far poppier and likely popular song from their album.
91. Northcote (So Hungover) by The Bedroom Philosopher
The world needs more songs like this. Wheter it's a homage to the hipster crowd, or simply just a big "fuck you" at them, it always got a chuckle from me every time I heard it.
90. Finally See Our Way by Art vs. Science
One of the two singles AvS put out last year, and easily the better one of the two. Even though it's still pretty silly stuff, as well as a tribute to Europe's "The Final Countdown".
89. Barricade by Interpol
Despite them putting out what was probably their weakest album so far last year, I knew that this one would make it's way in here, at around the position I thought it would too. Proof that there's still occasional some great moments from the band.
88. Monster by Kanye West
The first of what is likely numerous Kanye appearances, as well as the song that'll have the most guest spots in it. Actually probably my least liked song from the album, but I can see why people like it.
87. The Saddest Thing I Know by Birds of Tokyo
The first, and likely not the last, appearance of the highly popular Birds of Tokyo, who took it upon themselves last year to fill the void left by the absence of Powderfinger. While I can't blame them for wanting to be popular, I do think they've lost something in the process of it. While I like the tune on this one, I always thought the lyrics were kinda bad.
86. Queensland by Evil Eddie
A late entry this one, which might be why it managed to get in, since stuff released just a few months before voting opens usually do pretty well. Kinda a stupid song, but given the artist, it's kinda what he specializes in. Enjoyable enough.
85. I Feel Better by Hot Chip
Not too surprising to see Hot Chip make it in. This will probably be their only entry, if their past record in these things are anything to go by. Still, I may be surprised latter.
84. The Hardest Part by Washington
Megan Washington's first appearance for the year, and likely not her last either. It's a pretty cute and catchy song.
83. Modern Man by Arcade Fire
The favourite album from the Triple J audience last year, in what while no doubt be the first of numerous appearances. Or at least I'm hoping anyway. Though I'm kinda biased in that regard since I really like the band.
82. Tighten Up by The Black Keys
One of the tracks I voted for on this, and possibly my favourite track from last year, and certainly my most listened to. Unfortunatly, I won't get the chance to see them play it live since they cancelled their Australian tour. A pity that.
81. Echoes by Klaxons
While certainly having one of the best album art's from last year, the quality of the record has been highly debatable. Though this remains one of the best tracks from it, and it's no surprise to see it make an entry.
80. Howlin' For You by The Black Keys
I'm pretty surprised to see this make it higher then Tighten Up, though that's probably due to my love of that particular song. But I didn't think this would actually make it in. Though this is certainly the last time they'll get in for this year. Mostly since they only had the two songs on the voting list.
79. Slow Motion by Little Red
No surprise to see Little Red make an appearance, though I do kinda miss the sound of their previous album. Though I guess there's not much of a shelf life in continuously doing that sort of thing.
78. Stylo by Gorillaz
The first entry this year for the cartoon pop band. There's been a lot of debate over the quality of Plastic Beach, but everyone mostly agreed this was a pretty damn good song.
77. Shutterbugg by Big Boi
Now this pelases me to see Big Boi get in, since I was assuming that he'd get forgotten in all the recent obsession over Kanye's album. There might be another chance for him to get in, though it's pretty low. Still, one can hope.
76. Radioactive by Kings of Leon
Wow, Kings of Leon really fell down in popularity this year. I was assuming this was gonna be in the top 10 due to Australia still not having gotten over "KingsO'Leon-Mania just yet. Looks like I'm wrong.
75. Coming Around by Hungry Kids of Hungary
Not to surprising to see the Hungry's make and appearance, though this will likely be their only one. Still, nice to see them get some love, even though I'm not the biggest fan.
74. Lucidity by Tame Impala
The first and certainly not the last showing for Tame Impala. One of their more obviously rocky tracks.
73. Time to Wander by Gypsy & the Cat
Ooh, nice to see this band make it in. It's been a pretty good year for them, and this was my favourite song from the album they put out.
72. I Can Talk by Two Door Cinema Club
I'm pretty surprised that this album was as popular with the Triple J crowd as it was, since I always saw it as been a couple of good singles and a bunch of filler. Still, I did enjoy this song whenever I heard it.
71. The Piper's Song by Gypsy & the Cat
Didn't think they'd get a second showing, but it's certainly not a bad thing. Though I still am more partial to Time To Wander.
70. Paper Romance by Groove Armada
It's been a long time since Groove Armada has been in these things. I'm surprised they actually got in this one, since everyone seemed to dislike their last album. I guess I'm one of the few people who actually enjoyed that record.
69. Watercolour by Pendulum
I didn't think they'd get this high, but yeah, no surprise to see them make it in. I'm kinda hoping the ABC News Theme Remix will get in, mostly just for the amusement factor though.
68. Dog by Andy Bull
Now this is a real surprise. I didn't think this one would even make it into the 101-200 bracket. But it's a sweet little song this one, and not just because it has the lovely Lisa Mitchell guesting on it.
67. Holiday by Vampire Weekend
They were gonna come up sooner or later, and more then likely, they'll be coming up a few more times later on. Not my favourite from the album, but I always found it enjoyable enough.
66. Audience by Cold War Kids
Didn't think Cold War Kids would make it in, but I guess they're still kinda popular with the Triple J audience. A decent enough song, though not one I listened to all that much.
65. One Step by Dead Letter Circus
And much like I thought, they have their second entry in here, at about where I thought they'd get in as well. I actually prefer Big to this one though.
64. Jona Vark by Gypsy & the Cat
Damn, 3 songs in this for the group? For the first album they've done, that's actually pretty damn impressive. It'll be interesting to see where the band goes from here.
63. Ready to Start by Arcade Fire
Another of my votes, and therefore favourites, that's made it's way in this year. I'm kinda hoping to see at least one more entry for Arcade Fire, though that might be hoping a little too much. Still, we'll see.
62. Hold On by Angus & Julia Stone
The first appearance for Angus & Julia, certainly not the last. I think Angus' songs are more likely to be the ones that get higher, but I generally enjoy Julia's songs a more personally.
61. Jackson's Last Stand by Ou Est Le Swimming Pool
It's kinda a shame about the singer of this group killing himself, especially at such a young age. They may have gotten some sympathy votes, but even before his suicide, they were always gonna do pretty well in this thing. Won't be surprised to see Dance The Way I Feel crack the top 10.
60. My Eagle by Children Collide
Good to see Children Collide make it in this again. I'd like to see them get in again with Jellylegs, though at this point it probably won't get in now at this point.
59. Rich Kids by Washington
Second entry for Megan, I thought this one would get just a little higher, though I guess Sunday Best will get that honour. Good to hear her in this again.
58. The Suburbs by Arcade Fire
And yep, they've gotten in again. I'm wondering if they can manage to sneak another one in, though at this point, it's getting towards wishful thinking.
57. Kickstarts by Example
Huh, I didn't think this nearly had the popularity to get in. The Triple J crowd can be weird like that at times. Enjoyable enough I guess, but I can't help but feel there was a lot of songs that were more deserving of getting in.
56. Bring Night by Sia
I'd thought she'd have gotten a song in earlier in on the countdown, but she's started off a bit higher then I expected. Last year was easily her biggest year as a musician, though I do kinda miss the Sia of Colour the Small One. Still, one can hardly blame her for moving in this direction.
55. Giving Up the Gun by Vampire Weekend
I figured this would get a lot higher, but I guess not. The last entry for Vampire Weekend perhaps? I guess White Sky and Run have pretty good chances of getting in, but I thought Giving Up the Gun would be their highest. We'll see, I guess.
54. Holidays by Miami Horror
Way higher then I expected Miami Horror to make it, but I'm not complaining, since I always enjoyed listening to them last year. Won't be surprised to see I Look to You make it in either.
53. Reflections by Bliss N Eso
The first entry for Australia's other favourite hip-hop crew, though I'm not all that big on them actually. Still, this was a pretty good song, and unlike their other two big hits from last year, this one actually had sensible lyrics to it.
52. Overpass by The John Steel Singers
Nice to see The John Steel Singers make it in here, and much higher then I expected. Though I can't see them making a second track in here at this point.
51. Ambling Alp by Yeasayer
Not too much of a surprise to see Yeasayer in, though I didn't think this song would make it in, and especially not this high. Still, good to see them get some love.
50. One Life Stand by Hot Chip
Well, I'm shocked to see them make it in again, especially at this high. Still, a pretty good song, but it's pretty strange to think that this has made it in higher then what Over and Over and Ready For the Floor did in previous years.
49. Easy to Love by The Jezabels
Now this is a real shock to see this make it in, especially at such a high position. I figured that Mace Spray might make it in, but not this one. Good to see it though.
48. Witchcraft by Pendulum
Didn't think I'd hear Pendulum is this again, but I guess this song has been going fairly well all year, since I did hear this a lot. Doubt I'm gonna hear the ABC News Theme Remix by this point, but still, you never know.
47. Wild At Heart by Birds of Tokyo
Another Birds of Tokyo track. The words are a bit better then the last song then got in, though it does lack the energy of previous efforts. We still have yet to see Plans come in, which I think will easily be a top 20 pick, maybe even top 10.
46. Way Back Home by Bag Raiders
The album was something of a disappointment, but I always enjoyed this track from it, probably the strongest cut, in fact. Probably will be their only appearance, though I guess Sunlight might sneak in.
45. Rabbit Song by Boy & Bear
Now this has gotten way higher then I expected, but I always did like listening to this toon. Looking forward to hear what they come up with next.
44. Baptism by Crystal Castles
First time for them getting in the Hottest 100, and it probably won't be the last time this year either. I wasn't too fond of the album as a whole, but this one was always great to listen to.
43. We No Speak Americano by Yolanda Be Cool & DCUP
Damn, I knew this was going to rear it's ugly head sooner or later. One of the most ubiquitous songs of last year, and also one of the most annoying. I've heard this shit way too many times.
42. On Melancholy Hill by Gorillaz
What I'd consider the best song from Plastic Beach, and one of the few without a guest spot either. Always a pleasure to listen to, and had a great video to boot.
41. Down By the River by Bliss N Eso
Second entry for the hiphop group. I mostly enjoy this one, but the lyrics I thought were always kinda silly and awkward at times.
40. Baby, I'm Gettin' Better by Gyroscope
I knew Gyroscope would make it in this year, but wasn't entirely sure just where though. They might still get one or two more in, it's really kinda hard to say at this point.
39. Revolution by The John Butler Trio
Well, commercially it was a pretty big year for JBT, critically they've pretty much gotten shit on. Still, I always thought this was the strongest cut from their album, and one of the least obviously poppy tracks. They'll probably make it in again later with Close to You though
38. Young Blood by The Naked and Famous
No surprise to see this song make it in, but I did think it would be a little higher then this. Still, a good effort for such a young band, though it does sound very close to Passion Pit, which might be what appealed people to it in the first place.
37. Doncamatic by Gorillaz
I never exactly got into this song much, mostly because I really didn't actually hear it all that often, especially since it was a standalone single. Still, decent enough.
36. Opposite Of Adults by Chiddy Bang
I did think this one would get in, and fairly high as well, which it has. I did here this one way too often though, so I guess it's kinda lost it's novelty value to me.
35. The Bike Song by Mark Ronson And The Business Intl
It's a pretty silly song, but I quite like this one. I didn't care for it much the first time I heard it, but it slowly grew on me over the year.
34. Punching in a Dream by The Naked and Famous
A little surprised to see this higher then Young Blood, but it is also the more recent single, so I guess that may explain why it has a higher position. Still pretty Passion Pit-ish, though not as much as Young Blood.
33. Solitude is Bliss by Tame Impala
I thought this one would crack the top 20, but no such luck, I guess. This is likely the last entry for Tame Imapla as well. Still, they've done pretty well for themselves.
32. Pumped Up Kicks by Foster the People
This one got a heap of airplay, so I guess it's not too much of a shock to see them in. Still, pretty good for a band who at the time of voting, only really had the one song.
31. Bloodbuzz Ohio by The National
Glad to see The National get in again. I was kinda hoping to see an appearance of Afraid of Everyone, but there's not much chance of that getting in by this point. Still, I'm happy they got in this high
30. O.N.E. by Yeasayer
The third track I voted for that's made it in so far, was always a fun listen. Unless they're lucky with Madder Red though, this is the last time they'll make it in.
29. It Can Wait by Illy
This got in a bit higher then I expected, but I'm happy to see it come in so high, since this was perhaps my favourite Australian hiphop tune of this year.
28. Radar Detector by Darwin Deez
Didn't think he'd get in at all, let alone so high. I'm pretty neutral towards this song, but it's a fun enough listen, I guess.
27. You Got the Dirtee Love by Florence + The Machine and Dizzee Rascal
I'm actually not surprised to see this get in this high, since this got a pretty good reception from most. I always thought that this was something that shouldn't work, and yet somehow did.
26. Not In Love by Crystal Castles
It's pretty amazing how they took a cover, made one version and nobody really cared, but then redid it again with Robert Smith on vocals and suddenly everyone was proclaiming it as the best pop song of the year. But I did think this would get a little higher. Still, good effort.
25. Eyes Wide Open by Gotye
Good to see Gotye getting in so high, though I did think it would be at about this point he'd feature. I'm looking forward to seeing what the upcoming album is like.
24. Talking Like I'm Falling Down Stairs by Sparkadia
Thought this might make it in the top 20, but just outside, it seems. I always found this one a good song to sing along to, and I'm very interest in their upcoming album.
23. Addicted by Bliss N Eso
Bliss N Eso with their third entry, and this is actually the song of theirs that I actually care about the least. Dunno, I always found the lyrics to be pretty bad on this.
22. Jellylegs by Children Collide
Wow, this is much higher then I thought it would have gotten. Still, I always did like listening to one, so I'm happy to see it this high.
21. Undercover Martyn by Two Door Cinema Club
I was thinking this one would crack the top 20, but I guess it's just missed out. Still, it's probably the best song the band has right now.
20. Sunday Best by Washington
The third and no doubt last entry for Megan Washington, it's a great little song, and had one of my favourite music video's from last year. Good to see her doing so well.
19. Crave You by Flight Facilities
Now this is a real surprise to this get in so high, though I guess this song has been going very well for them. Didn't care for it much at first, but this one really grew on me.
18. There's Nothing in the Water We Can't Fight by Cloud Control
This might be my favourite song of theirs so far, and it was also a great time to listen to this. I can't see them getting another track in beyond this however.
17. Bang Bang Bang by Mark Ronson And The Business Intl
It's a silly song, but it was always pretty fun to listen to this whenever it came on. Which was actually pretty frequently. This might not be the last entry for Mark Ronson, Somebody to Love Me might still manage to scrape in.
16. Mace Spray by The Jezabels
Well, I certainly hadn't expected The Jezabels to do quite this well, but I'm happy to see them get in this high, since Mace Spray was such a great track.
15. Barbra Streisand by Duck Sauce
Oh gods, people actually voted for this? I might have found it cute the first time it was played, but the other two hundred thousand times have conditioned a particular loathing to this song.
14. Runaway by Kanye West
It some ways, this might be the most experimental Kanye has been so far, and yet, it's also become one of his popular tunes. At the very least, the album was certainly him at his most ambitious, with this being one the best tracks from it.
13. Clap Your Hands by Sia
Sia at her poppiest. I always did have a lot of fun listening to this one, even if there's not a whole lot to it. Still, it's nice to see my hometown girl getting a good showing.
12. Rapunzel by Drapht
The highest that an Australian hiphop song will likely get this year, and no surprise to see it so high since it came out in the last few months of the year. The fact that it has some pretty damn clever, not to mention funny, lines certainly would have helped. Drapht's voice probably upsets a good number of people though.
11. ABC News Theme Remix by Pendulum
Well damn, it actually got in. Yeah, it's completely cheesy, and yet so much fun at the same time. It always got a smile from me when it played.
10. Somebody to Love Me by Mark Ronson And The Business Intl
I had a feeling this would sneak in, since it had been getting so much airplay recently. Pretty divisive, mostly due to fact that it features Boy George. But that fact is, Boy George does have a pretty fucking good voice, and the song wouldn't have been nearly as good without him featuring on it.
9. Magic Fountain by Art vs. Science
I just can't get myself to care about this song, and I've certainly tried. I think this was one song where AvS pushed their big dumb fun shtick just a little too far. It might go off live, but the studio version just doesn't do much for me.
8. Tokyo (Vampires and Wolves) by The Wombats
It's not too surprising to see this song get in so high, since it got such a flogging. Not just on Triple J either, other stations were doing the same thing. Unlike other songs that got the same treatment (see: Barbra Steisand, We No Speak Americano), I never really got sick of this one. If the new album has more songs like this, then perhaps they'll break their current image of being a band who've made a few silly singles and not much else of interest.
7. Fuck You by Cee-Lo Green
Well, the song that had the highest odds of getting the much coveted #1 spot has missed out by just a few positions. Kinda similar with how Gnarls Barkley's Crazy on managed to reach #6 back in '06. Still, it's a pretty good effort, and this song has the honour of being simultaneously being one of the most bitter and yet cheerful breakup songs I've heard. I do much prefer the uncensored version over Forget You though. Censored, it just didn't have quite the same power to it.
6. Teenage Crime by Adrian Lux
And the other song that was expected to win this thing has also fallen just short. Which leaves the top spots something of a mystery, though I can think of 3 songs that would be in for certain that haven't appeared yet. This song just kinda came out of nowhere and caught everyone's attention, but I do love that for a dance track, it manages to sound so warm and dreamy, which is not something that happens a lot with that genre.
5. Fall At Your Feet by Boy & Bear
Now I'm pretty surprising to see a cover make it this high in the countdown, but maybe I shouldn't be. Australia already has a major love affair with all things Tim & Neil Finn, but especially for Crowded House, and Boy & Bear did a supurb cover of them. This marks probably one of the few times that a song featuring a banjo has been so widely beloved, since the majority of people seem to hate that instrument. But yeah, they did a fantastic job of this, not straying too far from the original but still managing to put their own spin on it.
4. Plans by Birds of Tokyo
I thought Plans might crack the top 3, possibly even making the #1 spot, but I guess Birds of Tokyo miss out this time. Despite being one of the biggest Australian songs of this year, I was never really into it all that much. It certainly has the sorta sentimental lyrical content and the big anthem value going for it, but it always came across as something that was specifically designed to get this sorta response at the cost of what made the band appealing to me in the first place. Still, I can see just why it was so popular, and it should make one of my friend happy since Birds of Tokyo are one of her favourite bands.
3. Dance The Way I Feel by Ou Est Le Swimming Pool
It's pretty bittersweet to see Ou Est Le Swimming Pool make in this high, given the singer's suicide last year. The band could have been huge if they managed to keep pumping out songs like this one, but I guess we'll never really see that happen. And even if they do continue with a new singer, they'll likely to always be carrying the stigma of being Charles Haddon's replacement. But even with the sympathy votes that this song garnered, there's no doubt it would have been just about as successful without, since this was going huge down here before Haddon's untimely demise. A fitting tribute to the man, I think.
2. Rock It by Little Red
Just a bit higher then I thought it might get, but there's no surprise to see Rock It make it in so far, as pretty much every seemed to love this song. It was also something of an introduction to a new sound of for the band, changing their former 50's pop tribute act for a more varied sonic palette, and yet this still remained the highlight of the new style. I always thought the vocal harmonies in this song are pretty damn good. It'll be interesting to see if they continue on with this style or change things up again in upcoming times.
1. Big Jet Plane by Angus & Julia Stone
Wow. I'm really surprised to see this make the #1 spot. I figured it would be top 10 spot, but not at this high. Mostly due to the fact that Triple J and it audiences tend to favour the alt rock sounds, not cute little folky songs like these. But it's an interesting curveball, and one that will no doubt get many a person screaming in fits of rage that their favourite didn't get in. But it's nice to see something out of the ordinary get the spotlight for a change, and it's pretty hard to hate Angus & Julia when they're both so adorable.