Friday 25 November 2011

Ultimate Pop Star Countdown: 30-26


26. New Order - Regret
Neon-lit rueful depression: “have a conversation on the telephone”. It does get like that sometimes. Aching guitars that seduce you into the seductively drowsy eloquence. 


27. Sheryl Crow - If It Makes You Happy
The whole album I have now decided is loosely bases on her friend she now realises cannot be helped: Oh Marie, Sad Sad World (“if I was unhappy I’d be someone you could care about … enemies make the most interesting friends”) and this are home truths served bitter-sweetly.  Taking her own advice, Every Day Is A Winding Road makes every day your birthday. 1996. Now that’s what I call miserable (that's quite a specific reference - basically it was on a Now compilation I wanted specifically to have this song).


28. The Killers - Mr Brightside
Dripping in dread and anxious hesitance – “but it’s all in my head” – and revelling in it.  The Stuart Price remix is a masterpiece, and turns in into the one song that was out of New Order’s reach, even at their vintage peak.


29. Dead Or Alive - Nukleopatra
The original Bad Romance.  Sorry to be a bore.  This is an avalanche of scathing venom, vicious narcissism, dated 90s rave thunder and unflinching decadence.


30. Ladytron - Destroy Everything You Touch
Stark pulsating discothèque, apocalyptic Hi-NRG exotica, that brittle and waspish voice and Game of Thrones style video.










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