Next week, we here at Off the Hook Music look back on the best music of 2020, naming our single, album and EP of the year.
So we gear up to our yearly awards with our much loved writer Matt naming his favourite album and single of the year.
For Radiohead guitarist Ed O'Brien's first solo album he appears to have combined all his favourite musical passions. From traditional folk sounds to modern electro beats, he creates a human and warming debut.
There is also a strong South American stemming from Ed's love of the continent. And, don't worry, those wide-ranging guitar skills are also well utilised, from finger-picked acoustics to the typical other-worldly drenches of sound.
In 2020, Tame Impala's Kevin Parker returned with his latest boundary-pushing work of detail and passion "The Slow Rush".
For me, the highlight is this lament to getting old. As well as raising a smile, it got me to my feet; particularly to the siren noises that start firing during the chorus.
These are the 5 songs which has shaped our team members life to make us want to write about great music
Oasis: What's the story morning glory
Every time I listen to What's the story morning glory it transports me to another world.
The Smiths:
In my opinion The Smiths said something to me in my teens, it made me feel like i was on top of the world.
Nirvana: In Bloom
Nirvana revolutionised the music industry and music scene in the 90's like no other band.
Shakira: She Wolf
I totally believe that Shakira is a underrated artists now a days, she deserves more respect for her music.
Asylums
Asylums are a band from Southend-on-Sea, their absolutely incredible and in an ideal world they should be the biggest band in the country.
These are the 5 songs which has shaped our team members life to make us want to write about great music
Beatles- Strawberry Fields Forever
Back in the good old days when cars only had tape players, my dad only ever seemed to have a Beatles Greatest hits one to play. We used to drive to stay with my grandparents in Suffolk listening to it and Strawberry Fields has always made me think of those times and was probably my first introduction to proper music- not a bad place to start.
Papa Roach- Last Resort
It had to be some objectively dire (but I love it anyway) Nu-Metal from an awkward kid who had badly grown long hair and a Linkin Park hoody at least five sized too big. Could have easily been Limp Bizkit and this isn't even my favourite Papa Roach song but it has to be the one that takes me back to that time.
Nine Inch Nails- March of the Pigs
Again not my favourite Nine Inch Nails song but the one that sums up the sound best. It has that fragile balance between beauty and brutality, where piano is eaten by distortion. Is highly musical and out and out noise, all in the same song and that it one of the things I love about Nine Inch Nails and why they are my favourite band.
James Blunt- High
To be honest I'm not even at all guilty about this, no matter how much the world might want me to be. People just need to accept the indisputable fact that James Blunt's first two albums are amazing and High is one of the best tracks. I will though accept any arguments that suggest that his last album should be described in terms that rhymes with hog spite.
Courtney Marie Andrews- Table for One
Ok, I'll admit that this one came out in 2016 and Courtney Marie Andrews has been about even longer than that but... on the basis that I consider music made after 2005 to be new and that I think not enough people have heard of this fantastic country singer, then I really think that this is a truly beautiful song to go out and listen too.
These are the 5 songs which has shaped our team members life to make us want to write about great music.
Queen: Bohemian Rhapsody
Like so many young boys, Queen were one of my first musical loves.
This song blew my mind before overkill kicked in.
Blur: Lucky
This song manages to be both emotional and intelligent.
I think everything from the lyrics to the guitar breaks is perfection. The best moment in Blur's monumental back catalog.
Radiohead: Lucky
Radiohead are constantly challenging and changing but always brilliant.
I've been lucky to follow their enthralling career and see them five times.
George Harrison: Let it Down
Probably a controversial choice for this category really as he was the coolest Beatle.
In my opinion, "All Things Must Pass" is the greatest solo Beatles album filled with gems stored up for years.
This is the Kit: Hotter Colder
They are a brilliant, experimental, folky, Bristol band led by Kate Stables.
These are the 5 songs which has shaped our team members life to make us want to write about great music.
Status Quo: In the army now
Status Quo was the soundtrack played all day everyday by my gran when i was a child.
Silverchair: Freak
Silverchair opened my eyes to music which shocked my mind and introduced me to how a guitar should be played.
Editors: Sugar
I can't explain how much i love the sound which Editors produce, i know the words to every song.
I also can't stop buying tickets to their gigs.
Kate Bush: Running up that hill
No other worlds than unbelievable talent.
October Drift: Cherry Red
I can never stop telling people how excited i am about this band, their unbelievable live and their records are fantastic.
We are friends who have decided that we want to bring the great gigs we watch to your eyes and ears, Music is important to us and we want to help new music invade your world.
To review music in all forms, we want to bring you the excitement from gigs, surprise you with reviews from the latest album and singles.
We also aim to push to bands to the next level by sharing their music and interviewing them on their journey.
Just sit back and enjoy the music and the reviews.
Kess Off The Hook Music Reviews
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