Majick Gypsy writes :

I was surprised at your top ten, I would have assumed more metal in there, from what I've previously read. I think it's been the year of Aussie hip hop, the Herd, Tzu, Butterfingers etc are all on my list. Blue King Brown for the reggae feel and System of a Down out of respect, but I surprised myself by voting for the Living End. Normally I wouldnt because they're so established but I thought they were the standout performers at last years Homebake. Just thought I'd share that, I'm right excited about the hottest 100 this year cos i'm having a party..so anyway, have a great Australia Day, aussie aussie aussie oi oi oi and all that.

Metal, Me ? Nah, thats impossible. :-)

Why didn't I vote for more metal? Well there is a few reasons for that.

First, I wanted to vote for songs & bands that I wanted to see in the top 100 and I did not think would get the required exposure. So, in my top 30, I had a couple of tracks from the two system of a down albumns released this year. After whitling down the list to 15, I still had Violent Pornography in the list. My reason for removing it was simple, SOAD will make the top 100 no matter what (unless there is some huge cosmic event between now and next thursday). So instead of voting for them, I can vote for Tambalane (another great aussie band), who are not as bigger shoe-in to make the list.

Second reason is simple. What good metal has been released this year ? There is the two SOAD albumns that I have already mentioned, there was a new release from Opeth (Ghost reveries) that was pretty good. Meshuggah released Catch 33, which I felt was kinda 'meh'. Apart from that, there was no GREAT metal releases of 2005. (please note, this is in my opinion only, and as I have proven many times before, I know nothing).

Third reason. I was trying to vote for songs, that had some special connection/evoked a good memory for me. I have felt pretty down over the last couple of weeks. I am missing home, working way to hard and having no fun. So I wanted to vote for songs, that when I hear them, make me remember something good.

Example, Outside 109 - British India. I remember before I left Australia, sitting in my car outside a laundrymat in South Perth at about 11am on a Sunday morning. The sun was shining, it was a great day, I was listening to the radio (this song was on). I was kicked back, enjoying the day and feeling good. Whenever I hear this song now, I think of that moment, and I can almost feel the sun on my face again.

Okay, now on to Aussie hip hop. Your right, this has been a great year for aussie hip-hop. I love the Herds cover of 'I was only 19'. The Hilltop Hoods new albumn sounds great (i need to get my hands on a full copy). Then there is Butterfingers, I can't say enough great things about them :-).

Anyway, I've ranted and raved long enough. Thanks for the comment, it's nice to see people actually do read this crap. Hope you have a great Australia Day, and remember, it's all good to start drinking at 9am, just stay outta the sun (otherwise you get way too drunk, way too quickly).

[ Pixies - Brick is Red ]