BEST ALBUM:
The Stills - Logic Will Break Your Heart
I'll be the first to admit that I'm a music snob of the highest calibre, preferring seven times out of ten to steer clear of as many trends as possible. The "The" band surge is no exception to my prejudices, causing me to guffaw at the slightest hint that I may purchase such an outfit's album. The Stills, however, were a gift, and as such bypassed such unfounded discrimination.
Slotting the disc into my player, I told myself to give them a chance and give it at least a couple of full rotations. As it turns out, I began listening to my favourite album of 2004, and the logic broke my heart - why had I avoided these chaps for months on end? The closing tones of Lola Stars And Stripes left me giddy as a schoolgirl, frothing uncontrollably at the prospect of another hour of such essential and exciting music.
Gender Bombs was the best song since Velouria; Love And Death sat in my brain for weeks on end; Let's Roll left me in awe; Fevered soundtracked a thousand walks to the Metro station. I cannot recommend this album and this band enough. Easily my musical highlight of this year.
Honourable Mention:
The Bees - Free The Bees
Isle Of Wight band prove they can do no wrong
BEST SINGLE:
Franz Ferdinand - Take Me Out
January seems like a long time ago, eh? Take Me Out has established for itself a timeless quality in less than 12 months since its release. I remember clearly the first few times I heard the infectious stomp, saw the art-house video and made stupid "It's on!" faces whenever nightclubs played it.
Without doubt the year's success story, my personal Franz highlight remains Take Me Out, in spite being in such prestigious company in a singles collection that also includes Matinée, Michael and This Fffire.
Honourable Mention:
Goldie Lookin' Chain - Guns Don't Kill People Rappers Do
From Bristol Zoo, to B&Q... you knows it!
BEST LIVE PERFORMANCE:
Pixies @ Brixton Academy, London
I had never in my wildest dreams thought I'd get to see the Pixies play live, but in 2004 that exact thing came true. Sure, I had seen Frank Black And The Catholics the year before, and even caught The Breeders the year before that, but nothing could hold a candle to the blistering live set that melted my face that night.
They could have walked on the stage, the four of them, waved and gone home, and I would have been chuffed, but Joey, Charles, David and Kim did me the honour of rampaging through the greatest backcatalogue in existence: Nimrod's Son, The Holiday Song, Vamos, Dead, Tame. I could go on.
"And the best moment of the best set of 2004?" I hear you ask. Well, my friends, the honour goes to No. 13 Baby - a track that brought Brixton Academy four-minutes of utter Pixies bliss on that balmy June evening. I shall never, ever forget it.
Honourable Mention:
The Strokes @ T In The Park, Balado
Splendid drunken antics from New York's finest
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